HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 732 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Celebrating the life of Fire Chief Max Willard. ---------- Patrons-- Bowling, Crockett-Stark, Johnson and Scott, J.M. ----------

WHEREAS, Fire Chief Max Willard, aged 69, of the Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department, is remembered for his valiant service as a firefighter and for his devotion to his family, community, and fellow officers; and

WHEREAS, Chief Willard died tragically on November 12, 2005, when he was separated from the 10 members of the Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department while battling a fire in Shortt Gap in an attempt to keep it from spreading to nearby homes and gas wells; and

WHEREAS, Chief Willard, an admired community leader in Buchanan County, had been a member of the Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years and its chief for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, committed to safeguarding Virginia's citizens and protecting the quality of life in Buchanan County, Chief Willard was a courageous and committed fire chief, who was highly respected by his fellow volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Chief Willard's death is the first on-duty fatality the Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department has suffered since 1978; and

WHEREAS, Chief Willard was the hardworking and respected owner of Max Willard Accounting and an active member of the Lions Club; and

WHEREAS, Max Willard will be fondly remembered as an exemplary father and family man, a loyal friend, and a devoted fire chief and greatly missed by his loving family and his many neighbors and friends in Buchanan County; and

WHEREAS, the loss of Chief Willard is tragic, not only for his family but also for his fellow firefighters and the citizens of Buchanan County, and a reminder of the great sacrifices made by all first responders throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of a dedicated public servant and an outstanding Virginian, Fire Chief Max Willard; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Fire Chief Max Willard as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.