The Journal has sadly learned that former Williamston Fire Chief Steve Ellison has passed away unexpectedly after going to the hospital Wednesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” said David Meade, Managing Editor of The Journal.
“It is with great sadness that Steve Ellison, the Town of Williamston Fire Chief for 27 years passed away today,” said Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess. “Please keep his wife Jean and the rest of the Ellison family in your thoughts and prayers.” The mayor has ordered all Town of Williamston flags flow at half staff until further notice.
Interim Williamston Fire Chief Timmy Heatherly said, “Steve dedicated his life to the fire service. He dedicated 100 percent to the Williamston Fire Department. He will be dearly missed, but will never be forgotten.”
Chief Ellison was a member of the Williamston Fire Department for 40 years and served as chief until he resigned March 3 of this year. Under his leadership, the department had been working steadily to make the volunteer fire department one of the best in the state. In 2014 they received a Class 3 ISO rating, the highest ever scored for an all volunteer department in the state at that time. They improved a 2020 ISO audit score by adding a ladder truck and a paid position, and just missed getting to a Class 2.
