William J. Shugart 2002-2020

He was born April 6, 2002, in Youngstown, the son of Billy Shugart and Kerry Mayberry-Shugart.

Will was a senior at Canfield High School, where he excelled in academics. He was an accomplished gymnast at The Ohio Gymnastics Institute in Austintown and a member of the U.S. Gymnastics Association and the OGI gymnastics Level 10 Team, having won numerous medals at his meets. He was also an instructor at OGI and loved the classes he taught, and most of all, his mentor, Ronnie Ferris.

Will was a pilot and wanted to pursue his passion by following in his father’s footsteps. He had aspirations to enter the Air Force Academy or Naval Academy to become a pilot.

He completed his first solo just days after his 16th birthday. Will was not just a pilot, but most importantly, he was an aviator. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol at the Vienna Airbase and earned and was awarded The Wright Brothers Award.

Will was a talented musician. He loved playing and collecting guitars and classic records. You could hear him playing his guitar daily regardless of the time. He could play any song just by hearing it.

In addition to his countless accomplishments, Will was talented, outgoing, intelligent, passionate, ambitious, charismatic and witty. He will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his parents, Billy (Leslie) Shugart of Canfield and Kerry Mayberry of Boardman;; two sisters, Sydney Rose and Jessica Doris Shugart of Canfield; stepbrother, Nicholas Spatar; stepsister, Sophia Spatar of Canfield; his grandparents, Bill and Vera Shugart of Canfield, and John and Suzanne Mayberry of Poland; and his beloved golden retriever, Murphy. He also leaves to cherish his memory many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Contributions in William’s memory may be made to Ohio Gymnastics Institute in Austintown, where a scholarship will be set up in memory of Will.

Calling hours will be held 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr’s Centre Drive, Canfield, OH 44406.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 935 E. State St. Salem, OH 44460.

(special notice)