Retired Deputy Fire Chief Reverend Arnett Williams of Grandview, Missouri September 14, 1934 – May 26, 2019 Retired Deputy Fire Chief Reverend Arnett R. Williams of Grandview MO passed away on May 26, 2019. Rev. Williams was born September 14, 1934, to the union of Eddie & Linette Williams in Tucker AR.
The family moved to Kansas City MO when he was an infant. He attended school in the Kansas City MO School District and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952. Upon graduation he joined the U. S. Air Force where he fought in the Korean War.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force he became a member of the Coast Guard Reserve. In June 1957, he joined the Kansas City Mo Fire Department where he worked his way up the ranks retiring in 1983, as Deputy Chief. While serving in that role he had the task of commanding and directing over 100 first responders and volunteers in Kansas City’s deadliest structural collapse, the Hyatt Regency skywalks.
The rescue efforts were documented in the August 1, 1981, edition of Jet magazine. Following the tragedy he was asked to speak to agencies throughout the United States and Canada and his world renowned Emergency Response effort is still being utilized in first responder publications to this day. Deputy Chief Williams was most proud of his involvement in the diversification of the KCFD through the Labor Recruitment program.
After retirement from the fire department Arnett accepted the call to ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His final service being as Associate Pastor at Willis Chapel AME under Rev. Clifford St. James.
In his 84 years his commitment, love and service to all blessed his family, community and city. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of those he has left behind: his wife of 59 years, Norma Tennyson Williams; son, Keith Williams (Tracy); daughters, Laurie Williams (Johnathon) and Sheryll Wilson; sister, Darnella McDowell; grandsons, Shannon Williams, Christopher Wilson (Tiera), Dustin Williams, Grady Henderson and Rodney Wilson; granddaughters, Kiva Jordan (Meon), Taylor Price (Dionnete Sr.), KeArra Williams and Torah Greenlaw; great- grandchildren, Imani Battles, Dayton Jordan, Armani & Damari Williams, Dallas and Dionnete Price II, Maddox Wilson, Indya, Aleah, Alayna, Averie, Alexis and Jordynn Henderson along with a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends and so many others who were blessed to make his acquaintance. Reverend Williams was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Williams-Johnson; his parents, Eddie and Linnett Williams; father and mother-in-law, Melvin and Laura Tennyson; brother, Eddie Williams and many loved ones and friends who welcomed him into the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Celebration of Life Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 31, 2019, at Willis Chapel AME Church. Burial Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, May 30, 2019, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Ebenezer AME Church and 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday at Willis Chapel AME Church.
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