After serving Attala County as fire chief for the past 32 years, former Chief Roy Williams felt that it was time to step away.
He began his career as a volunteer fireman for the city of Kosciusko, but following Chief Wayne Rawson’s resignation as county fire chief in 1989 and the tragic death of Rawson’s replacement David Ballard shortly after, Williams eagerly accepted the opportunity to lead the county department. It was an historic hire, as Williams became Attala County’s first black fire chief.
Williams said the responsibility came with its ups and downs, but he is proud of the service he has given the county.
When he first began, the department was located at the fairgrounds where softball fields currently sit. It was a one-man station, so he was the only full-time county fireman. Slowly but surely, the department was able to add additional help.
“When we finally got two men on each shift, we thought we were a big station then,” Williams told The Star-Herald.
Long-sought improvements are now coming to the department – new fire trucks and a new central fire station – Williams looks back on the earlier growing pains and is excited about the future for the ACFD. He also reflects, however, on previous situations and wonders if there were things he could have done differently.
“I just wish I could have done more. We were set to get another station and expand before Katrina, but it didn’t happen. Fire is changing, and I wish we could have been in a better position,” he said.
One particular challenge Williams noted is training firemen to use modern technology inside the new fire trucks.
“All of these fire trucks are becoming computerized and digital. Everything is totally different. We are retraining guys in the county to keep up with these new trucks, but I wish we could have grown longer with a little more,” he said.
When asked about his memories throughout the years, Williams said he could write a book filled with stories of what happened at different locations across the county. He also said that there are several “spots” that he sees when he drives down Highway 12 where he remembers unfortunate situations that occurred.
The most rewarding part of his tenure was getting to know the people in Attala County, but he learned from experience that the profession comes with its pros and cons.
“It's the type of job that comes with its good and bad. Whenever working with the public, you’ll have good points and bad points,” he said.
Many people have asked him about his relationships with his firemen, and he said they have been a hard-working group that listened to his leadership.
“When people have asked me about my relationships with the crew, I think it had to do with me being black and most of them being white. These guys listened and we handled a lot of jobs on our own,” he said. “The men that have worked here are good people. I’ve seen a lot of good guys come here and watched some good guys leave. I hate to leave these guys now, but the time comes. This is a job where you’ve got to learn to love it to be able to do it. It’s like a drug once you get into the system.”
Looking to the department’s future, Williams believes Danny Townsend will do a fine job as the next county fire chief.
“Danny and I really grew together at this place, and he knows more about repairing these trucks than I do. He has taught me a lot,” Williams humbly stated.
As he reflected on his years of service, Williams said he was not able to spend as much time with his children Jeffery, LaKisha, and Temeka and his grandchildren as much as he would have liked because he has spent his life working two jobs in order to provide. His other calling has been building cabinets for locals.
“I looked up one day at my kids being grown, married, or in college. Next thing I know, they were giving me grandkids and one of them is now graduating high school. I don’t want my time with them and my great-grandchildren to be gone,” he said. “I enjoyed my time serving, but at my age, it’s time to get out.”
