Obituary of Herman Williams

Herman Williams, Jr. is a 1949 graduate of Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland. He began his career of public service on February 8, 1954 as a Fire Fighter in the Baltimore City Fire Department. Along the way he was promoted to Pump Operator, Lieutenant/Fire Academy, Captain/Fire Safety Officer and battalion Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau. He continued his education at the University of Maryland School of Engineering where he completed the National Fire Service Staff and Command Course and received certification as a Fire Service Instructor and Motor Fleet Supervisor. Chief Williams attended the Catonsville Community College receiving an Associate Degree in Fire Management and the University of Baltimore, where he majored in Management and Personnel Administration. In 1980, Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaeffer selected Mr. Williams to serve as the Chief of Administrative Services in the Department of Public Works, and in 1984 was promoted to the number three position of Executive Assistant to the Director of Public Works. In 1988 Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke appointed Chief Williams to the position of Commissioner of Transportation for the City of Baltimore. In 1992 he became the first African American Fire Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Chief Williams retired from the Baltimore City Fire Department on February 14, 2001. Even though he was retired from full time employment, the 'Chief" remained very active. He was currently serving as a Commissioner on the Baltimore City Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners. He was serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore City and a Board Member of the Municipal Golf Corporation. He was a Trustee on the Living Classrooms Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community and empowering youth. He was also serving as a hearing Officer on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board for Baltimore City. He was an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masons, Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the Vulcan Blazers, Inc. and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Williams is the author of a book: Fire Fighter" a biographical sketch of his journey from early childhood to fire chief. Chief Williams was married for 66 years to Marjorie Williams who died on May 21, 2017. He is survived by his four children Marjorie Hines, Clolita M. Vitale, Herman Williams, III and Montel B. Williams, 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service for Chief Williams will be held on Tuesday March 1, 2022 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, 401 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chief Williams memory to either the Baltimore Fire Foundation (https://fire.baltimorecity.gov/fire-fire-foundation) or the Living Classroom Foundation (https://livingclassrooms.org/programs/ways-to-give/). Information on both foundations can be found in the links above. Hotel accommodations can be made by contacting the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor at 443-573-8700 or use the link below. Parking is available in the Hilton's underground garage at Eutaw and Camden Sts. https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=BWICCHH&groupCode=E1&arrivaldate=2022-02-28&departuredate=2022-03-01&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT ***BE ADVISED – All COVID health protocols enacted by the City of Baltimore at the time will be enforced. If more information is needed, contact Emergency Service Instructor John Kirkner (410-215-9370) or Inspector Michael Hineline (410-443-278-4822).