Harmon “Sparky” Williams



Sparky was born on August 22, 1928 in Jacksonville. Sparky grew up on the eastside on Spearing Street. Contrary to popular believe Sparky did not get his nick name because of the Fire Department. When Sparky was growing up there was a man that used to sit out in front of a gas station close to his house and never worked. When his mother would get upset with Sparky not doing his chores she would tell him “Okay that is alright, grow up and be like old Sparky, see if I care.”
Sparky joined the Marines in 1946 where he was an expert marksman and was called upon when needed. When Sparky left the Marines 3 years later he married his sweetheart Bertha.
Sparky went back into the Marines in just 2 months after being married. He then came out of the Marines and joined the Fire Department in 1953.
Sparky’s first assignment was Engine 3. Sparky likes to tell the story of a boxer named “Champ” that use to sit out front of the station with the guys while they were smoking. When one of the neighborhood citizens would come walking by they would put a cigarette in Champs mouth and everyone thought it was funny that the firemen’s dog knew how to smoke.
One of the reasons that Sparky came on the fire department was because of his ability to play softball. Chief Red Sams announced that the fire department now had a pitcher.
After leaving Station 3 Sparky went to station 9 and then shortly after that was assigned to the Rescue Division. Sparky retired from the Rescue Division as a Lieutenant.
The Mayor of Jacksonville, Haydon Burns always had two fire department personnel assigned to his office. Chief Frank Kelley called Sparky in his office one day and asked if he would be interested in driving the Mayor. The other fireman assigned at that time was Tom Crawford. Sparky then moved to the Mayor’s office.
After retiring and coming back to the department Sparky spent his last 5 years as Museum Curator. During his time at the Museum, Sparky and Keith Wood completely restored the old 1902 Steam Pumper.
 

Sparky and Bertha have now been married 60 years. They have 3 children, a son and 2 daughters. They have 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.	Sparky was on the Morocco Shiners Motorcycle Escort. He is proud to tell you he never trailered his bike he always rode to wherever they were going.	Sparky cherishes his first issued helmet.