East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

NOONDAY — Cheerful music flowed from the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department station Sunday evening as hundreds of firefighters, friends and family shared stories of two of their fallen.

It was a far different scene than that of one year ago when they stood silently grieving the loss of Captain Kevin Williams and firefighter Austin Cheek who died battling a house fire.

“A year ago we gathered here, a lot of these same people still in shock not understanding what had happened. We were literally holding each other up because none of us knew how to handle it,” family member Cathy Ferguson said.

Since their death, Smith County Volunteer Fire Departments have continued to protect the community, still trying to understand the loss.

“This is a day to honor them and to see this gathering in a different way so that we can smile and enjoy remembering them for the great heroes they were,” she said.

The evening began with music from singer Carissa Amberly, who firefighters said has been a comfort to the departments. Smiles passed from face to face as Amberly encouraged the crowd to sing along.

But when the music stopped, family and firefighters turned their attention to the family and friends of Cheek and Williams.

Cheek, 19, was a 2006 graduate of Whitehouse High School and an active member of Green Acres Baptists Church, South Campus. Family spoke of Cheek’s love of the fire department and how he knew it was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

“It was where he needed to be and we know that,” she said.

He was known for his winning smile, great sense of humor, love for his family and Jesus.

His family said the support and love they have received from firefighters and strangers across the country has been comforting.

“I heard the word brotherhood when in talking about the fire department, but I never really understood it until now. I see the way you all come together and love each other and support each other and what a family it really is, and your vulnerability,” she said.

Chuck Colley, longtime friend of the Williams family said it was a privilege to be asked to speak about his friend.

“Last year we had a very tragic situation here in Smith County. Kevin Williams, volunteer fireman acting unselfishly in the face of danger in order to serve his community gave his all and it cost him everything. But that’s who Kevin was, a hero and a friend,” Colley said.

Williams was an active member of Bethel Bible Church, played on the church softball team and started their program. When help was needed, the 42-year-old firefighter and father was always there.

William’s daughter, Amanda Williams, read a message sent by her brother Schyler Williams who is currently deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps. In the letter, Schyler, he remembers his father not as a firefighter, but as a man who would spend his last dime and give his last breath for his children.

“On top of that, he still found time to risk his life for people he didn’t know, but still loved. My father gave everything and asked for nothing in return. He was and still is my greatest hero,” she read.

Amanda Williams, daughter of Captain Kevin Williams, applauds a song and dance routine at a memorial service for her father and firefighter Austin Cheeks Sunday in Noonday. Many friends and family members considered the service a celebration of the two firefighters' lives.
(Staff photo by Mark Roberts)