Williamson Fire Department

The Williamson Volunteer Department was organized in 1925 with Forrest Bingaman as Chief. Albert Spencer, Secretary, and an old fashioned International fire truck. Other members were: Arthur Rohrer, Orval Light, F. A. McDonald, Boyd Spiker, Roscoe Foster, Lawrence Miller, Alex Wallace, Harold Lytle, Elmer Edwards, T. O. Bryant, Kenneth Brightwell, N. H. Hiss, W. E. Mauk, Eugene Moore, and Hoyt Spiker. These members are listed as of 1926-27 and are believed to be charter members.

The department has had a good record and they have a prideful memory of winning the water fight in Chariton during one of the Fourth of July celebrations. Many of their fires have been caused by sparks from the locomotives. Their worst fire was March 24, 1967, when two grass fires started – one north of town, the other south. They were spreading fast around homes in the area. The Chariton and Russell departments responded and the damage was confined to fences and shrubbery. There was no injuries and no equipment lost. Williamson’s ten members have telephones that automatically ring from the telephone fire alarm button. This hook-up covers 90 square miles and greatly enhances the efficiency of the department. Their roster of chiefs lists the names of Lowell Boothe, Raymond Wagaman, Harry Masters, Harry McFarland, Manuel Shore, Ed Hochart, Francis Slack, Dwaine Clark and Marvin Shore. Alvin Hockart is present Chief and Steve Grgurich is Secretary. John Polo holds the record for longest membership.