A popular firefighter with decades of service to Mountain Home has passed away.
The Mountain Home Fire Department confirmed that Retired Fire Chief Ken Williams passed away on Friday after putting out a call for prayers over his health.
“The City of Mountain Home would like to express our condolences to the family of our former Fire Chief Ken Williams,” said Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams in an official statement. “Ken gave many years to public service for the city, and it is with our deepest sympathy to announce that he passed today. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and all that loved him. He will be greatly missed.”
Fire Chief Williams began his career in firefighting in 1985 as a part time firefighter before being brought on full time in 1987.
Williams quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a fire inspector for nine years before being appointed as Fire Chief of the Mountain Home Fire Department in 2003. He would serve as head of the fire department until his retirement in 2020. He was succeeded by Mountain Home Fire Chief Kris Quick.
The Williams family has received an outpouring of support from the Mountain Home community following the news of Williams’s passing.
“He will be forever missed. What a bright positive light in the world,” said Faith Bryant. “It was a downright pleasure knowing him for 30 plus years.”
“Ken will be greatly missed. It was an honor to have known and worked with him. Prayers for his family,” said Charles Grinder.
A video tribute to Williams can be found below. Funeral arrangements are still pending.
