'Big' Will Scallon's life was too short, but now his family is keeping his spirit alive

Queen Creek, Arizona: On December 31, 2023, 14-year-old Will Scallon crashed his dirt bike into a tree. Will would not live to see 2024. His devastated family attempted to come to terms with the loss of a son and a community hero fondly known as 'Big Will', who above all else loved football and Captain America. 

Will was adopted at birth by Greg and Stephanie Scallon on September 29, 2009. Now his family is keeping the spirit of Will alive and giving back to the community through a nonprofit created to honor the memory of the young man by helping young athletes in need. The Big Will Scallon Fund will provide financial support for children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford organized sports.

Will’s family remembers him as a vibrant personality who loved sports from a young age, starting football at just five years old. He quickly became a star athlete for the Chandler-Gilbert Tigers and was known as 'Big Will' for his large stature and even bigger heart. His parents describe him as a “gentle giant”.

The Big Will Scallon Fund was created to provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford the rising costs of youth sports, ensuring that gifted young athletes have the opportunity to participate in organized sports. The Scallon family feels that the nonprofit is an extension of Will’s big heart and that it will continue to touch the lives of many.