Atlanta’s first Black fire chief, William H. Hamer has died at 85. He passed away on July 10, according to his obituary. Hamer broke barriers in 1985 when then-Mayor Andrew Young appointed him as Atlanta’s first Black fire chief. His leadership followed decades of service that began when he joined Atlanta Fire Rescue in 1963 as one of its original 16 Black firefighters, assigned to Station 16 on Simpson Road, now Joseph E. Boone Boulevard.
Mayor Andre Dickens shared condolences with Hamer’s family, saying in a statement: “Chief Hamer made history 40 years ago when Mayor Andrew Young appointed him to the post. But well before that, he was one of the original 16 Black firefighters who integrated Atlanta Fire Rescue in 1963,” he said. “Most of us will never know the pressures of being the ‘first.’ What we do know though is that this city will never stop celebrating the legacy of fortitude, faith and fearlessness that Chief Hamer and his trailblazing compatriots have left with us. On behalf of the City of Atlanta, I offer sincere condolences to Chief Hamer’s wife Eva, his children and grandchildren, as well as his extended family and friends,” he continued.
A native of Florence, Alabama, Hamer dedicated his career to public safety and to paving the way for future generations. He retired from Atlanta Fire Rescue in 1988, leaving behind a legacy of courage and leadership that inspired many across the city. Celebration of Life Services for Chief Hamer will be held Saturday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Hoosier United Methodist Church, located at 2545 Benjamin E. Mays Drive SW, Atlanta. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 18, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Murray Brothers Funeral Home Cascade Chapel, located at 1199 Utoy Springs Road SW, Atlanta. Hamer will also “lie in state” at the church from 10 a.m. until the service begins on Saturday.
