On March 5, 2026, everything changed for the Mitchell family.
William “Will” Mitchell, husband, father, friend, and proud U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away suddenly at just 49 years old after suffering a heart attack while driving to work.
Will served our country honorably for 21 years in the United States Air Force and dedicated his career to recruiting and mentoring young men and women into military service. He believed deeply in helping others find purpose, and he lived every day by the Air Force core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
But more than anything, Will was a family man.
He and his wife, Carolyn, were married for 28 years and built a life together for over 32 years. They are raising four incredible children: Trevor (17), Camden (15), Lauren (12), and Cali (11). Carolyn is also the primary caregiver for her 81-year-old mother.
Will was the rock of their family. He was the provider, the steady presence, and the one who made everything feel okay.
His passing has left an unimaginable emotional void, but it has also created a sudden and overwhelming financial hardship.
And now, just weeks after losing Will, the family has been hit with another devastating and unexpected crisis.
Their oldest son, Trevor, collapsed during basketball practice and went into cardiac arrest. He required CPR and was shocked three times before being revived. He was rushed to the ICU, where doctors discovered his heart function was significantly reduced.
Trevor remains under close medical supervision. He is currently wearing a life-saving cardiac monitoring vest that can deliver a shock if his heart goes into a dangerous rhythm again. His heart function is still being closely monitored, and he is scheduled to undergo a cardiac ablation procedure on May 1.
While Trevor is now home, the uncertainty is ongoing, and the emotional and medical toll on the family is immense.
Carolyn is now navigating not only the loss of her husband, but also the fear and stress of her son’s fragile health, all while trying to hold her family together.
Will had recently changed jobs in pursuit of a better opportunity for his family. Unfortunately, that transition meant he did not have life insurance coverage in place at the time of his passing.
While Carolyn receives some military survivor benefits, they are not enough to sustain a household of six on their own. Right now, Carolyn is doing everything she can to keep her children stable during the most difficult time of their lives.
Her biggest fear is losing their home.
Their home is more than just a place to live. It is where their children feel safe. It is where their memories with Will live. It is the one place that still offers some sense of stability in the middle of so much uncertainty.
Their mortgage is $2,172 per month, with a remaining balance of $431,567.
Our goal is to raise $50,000. This will help cover nearly two years of mortgage payments and provide critical financial breathing room as Carolyn supports her family through both grief and ongoing medical challenges.
This is not about solving everything overnight. It is about giving this family time.
Time to grieve.
Time to heal.
Time to support Trevor through his recovery.
Time to figure out what comes next without the immediate fear of losing their home.
Every donation will go directly toward helping Carolyn:
- Keep her children in their home
- Maintain stability during this transition
- Cover essential living and medical-related expenses
If you knew Will, you knew he never met a stranger. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and welcome. He showed up for people, especially when they needed it most.
Now, it is our turn to show up for him and his family.
If you are able to give, thank you.
If not, sharing this page means just as much.
Let’s help Carolyn and her children stay in the home Will worked so hard to provide and support them through a time no family should ever have to face.
Will spent his life taking care of others. Thank you for helping us take care of his family.