To All,
I am saddened to notify you that CDF retiree, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Ralph (Smokey) Williamson, passed away, August 15, 2014 at 15:30, after a long illness resulting from a series of strokes. He remained optimistic and fought for life until The Lord took him home.
Smokey started his career with CDF at Lake Elsinore Fire Station 10 around 1988, and had been a Volunteer Firefighter / FAE at Lakeland Village Fire Station 11 for a number of years prior to that. He worked as a limited term fire apparatus engineer at the Dobbins Fire Station in the Nevada-Yuba-Placer unit, Moreno Valley Fire Station 65 (Truck 65), Battalion 5 as a relief F.A.E, Old Fire Station 27 at Ryan Field, Winchester Fire Station 34, and his last duty assignment was at the Ben Clark Training Center.
He was on an incident management team as a supply unit leader, and he worked on many incidents in ordering. Smokey lived a very full life and had no regrets in the end. He served in the Air Force, worked in auto racing, stunt work, CDF / Cal Fire, and a variety of other fields. His passion and love was always the fire dept.
His career with Cal Fire fulfilled him in ways no other life path ever could have. He had a deep sense of purpose and honor in the brotherhood that is the fire department. He was always quick with a story. To Smokey everyone was family. He will be missed.
Information on funeral arrangements will be forthcoming:
Cards may be sent to: The Williamson Family, in care of Luke Gremling, (His Son)
34593 Cedar Ave.
Yucaipa, Calif. 92399