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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 548
Celebrating the life of William Alexander Williamson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, January 20, 2011

 

WHEREAS, William Alexander Williamson, the beloved Virginia Department of Forestry chief forest warden for Halifax County and noted community volunteer, died on March 13, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Halifax County, William Alexander “Alex” Williamson was born on September 21, 1950, to loving parents William Washington Williamson and Anita Jordan Williamson; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson joined the Virginia Department of Forestry after proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson enjoyed a long and successful career with the Virginia Department of Forestry, which was marked by devotion to duty, commitment to colleagues, and enthusiasm for education; and

WHEREAS, respected and admired by his coworkers, Alex Williamson trained and mentored thousands of Virginia firefighters in the suppression of wildfires for more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson frequently put himself in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the Commonwealth from the ravages of wildfire; he also willingly traveled across the country when called upon to help other states battle wildfires; and

WHEREAS, a close, personal friend of Smokey the Bear, Alex Williamson educated thousands of Virginia schoolchildren on the dangers associated with uncontrolled wildfire; and

WHEREAS, along with two other colleagues, Alex Williamson graciously and ably represented the Virginia Department of Forestry as he traveled around the state with the Capitol Christmas Tree and received each community’s tree ornament; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson was a well-known figure in the community; he was a member of the Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department for 44 years and was an honorary member of more than a dozen other fire departments; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson generously gave of his time and talents in the community as a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Department of Forestry Honor Guard, and American Legion Post #8 and VFW Post #8243; and

WHEREAS, Alex Williamson leaves behind a sterling legacy of service to the Commonwealth, his fellow firefighters and Virginia Department of Forestry staff, his community, and his family; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Alex Williamson will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Betty; children, Amanda and John; his other loving family members and friends; his colleagues at the Virginia Department of Forestry; and the citizens of Halifax County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a dedicated public servant and community volunteer, William Alexander Williamson; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Alexander Williamson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.