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IN REMEMBRANCE

April 19 1973 to July 5 2024

Dates of service

April 2004
to
July 2024

Craig was a second-generation firefighter. His father, Pete, initially served at Handsworth Fire Station before others during his 30-year service.

Craig’s professional journey is testament to his versatility and adaptability. He began his career as a lifeguard, honing his water safety and rescue skills. However, his thirst for new challenges led him to join and serve with the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, where he further developed his physical and mental resilience.

Craig was eminently proud of the time he spent serving his country. While with 3 Para, he became a combat medic and all-terrain driving specialist.

When it came time for a change in his career, and with a view to further helping our communities, he returned to Birmingham and joined West Midlands Fire Service on 15 April 2004 as a trainee firefighter. Choosing this career directly ensured that Craig could continue to help, protect and serve the most vulnerable members of our society.

Initially posted to Ladywood Green Watch, Craig served at several stations, including Handsworth, Highgate and West Bromwich, before being redeployed into Organisational Learning and People Development (OLPD) in 2018.

Craig was originally diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in 2011 and given a prognosis of three to five years. However, his resilience saw him defy this prognosis and, with the addition of lifestyle changes, Craig stayed with his family and us for another 13 years. During this time, he helped and advised others with similar conditions, met and married his devoted wife Annette, and saw the arrival of his son Ryan, who is now seven.

Firefighters always move against adversity to overcome challenges. Craig was the epitome of this.

Please take comfort from leaving your own message or reading those of others.

Craig Williams smiles at the camera. He is sat forward on a blue upholstered chair. He is wearing a blue suit jacket with matching waistcoat, a white shirt, and an orange silk tie with blue leaf pattern.

Firefighter

Craig Williams

19 April 1973 - 5 July 2024

Dates of service

April 2004 to July 2024

Serving locations

Firefighter, Ladywood Fire Station
Firefighter, Handsworth Fire Station
Firefighter, Highgate Fire Station
Firefighter, West Bromwich Fire station
Firefighter, Organisational Learning and People Development

Craig was a second-generation firefighter. His father, Pete, initially served at Handsworth Fire Station before others during his 30-year service.

Craig’s professional journey is testament to his versatility and adaptability. He began his career as a lifeguard, honing his water safety and rescue skills. However, his thirst for new challenges led him to join and serve with the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, where he further developed his physical and mental resilience.

Craig was eminently proud of the time he spent serving his country. While with 3 Para, he became a combat medic and all-terrain driving specialist.

When it came time for a change in his career, and with a view to further helping our communities, he returned to Birmingham and joined West Midlands Fire Service on 15 April 2004 as a trainee firefighter. Choosing this career directly ensured that Craig could continue to help, protect and serve the most vulnerable members of our society.

Initially posted to Ladywood Green Watch, Craig served at several stations, including Handsworth, Highgate and West Bromwich, before being redeployed into Organisational Learning and People Development (OLPD) in 2018.

Craig was originally diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in 2011 and given a prognosis of three to five years. However, his resilience saw him defy this prognosis and, with the addition of lifestyle changes, Craig stayed with his family and us for another 13 years. During this time, he helped and advised others with similar conditions, met and married his devoted wife Annette, and saw the arrival of his son Ryan, who is now seven.

Firefighters always move against adversity to overcome challenges. Craig was the epitome of this.

Please take comfort from leaving your own message or reading those of others.

Messages of condolence

Add your own message of condolence
In the weeks following the funeral, wake, or celebration of life for our departed colleagues, we compile the messages shared here into a printed 'Book of Condolence'. This book is then presented to their loved ones as a lasting tribute.

For this remembrance page, the cut-off date for inclusion in the printed book is 15 August 2024.

While you are welcome to leave messages after this date, please note that any submissions received beyond the cut-off will not be included in the printed version.
Paul Hinckley
I knew Craig well during my time at WMFS.



He was an amazing guy, always polite and professional, and a true fighter, in every sense of the word.



I will miss you, my friend and comrade. The world is a sadder place without you.
Donna Mills
My husband and I had the honor of getting to know Craig during our volunteer work with the Sea and Marine Cadets.



He was a true gentleman, so caring and kind, always smiling and happy. His optimistic approach to life was truly uplifting.



Our hearts go out to Craig's family, as they journey through this challenging time. We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers their way.



May Craig find peace, and may his family draw strength from the cherished memories and lasting impact he has left behind.
Gemma McSweeney
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Your strength and courage is admiral beyond words I can write.

Thank you for the memories instructing on the Aurora course together. You were so dedicated and a role model not just to those young people but to the other instructors!!



Rest easy Craig
David William Vaatstra
From
South Wales fire & rescue service
RiP service done my friend.

From the colour party SWF&RS
Joseph Fox
From
Specialist Fire & Rescue Service Limited
Thank you for your service and dedication. RIP.
Daniel Allen
Craig, you were one of the kindest, caring, positive guys we knew. A heart of gold and never a bad word to say about anyone. You put up an amazing fight and it is so inspirational! Thinking of Annette, Ryan and your family. RIP my friend. From Dan & Hannah xx
Sonia Cox
I first met you at training school Craig and you were always running around, first to volunteer, really positive and full of enthusiasm, so excited to become a firefighter.



We shared many training sessions when you were at Ladywood and you were always just as keen and positive, always a smile. Same over the years when we caught up on jobs, no matter the time of day. I remember seeing your dirty face at a job at about 3 am and asked you how you were getting on. You smiled, your face lit up and you said, ‘I’m absolutely loving it’. This was after a good few years in role just so heartwarming to see your passion still. 😊



Our paths crossed again when you returned to work in OLPD, you were putting up a tremendous fight against your illness and were so pleased to be back at work and ‘being productive’. Still passionate about making a difference and keen to be involved.



You certainly have demonstrated a positive mindset, determination and a zest for life. You have been a superb role model to so many, both in service and in your private life.



RIP Craig, you will be missed by many

Sending most sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues xx
Dave West
Rest in Peace Craig. Your fight against this terrible disease was an inspiration. All our love to your family. Forever in our thoughts.

Nat and Di West
Alison Withers
Thank You Sir for your service. RIP God Bless.
Matthew Leech
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Rest In Peace Craig
Aaron Manning
From
WMFS
Craig you were such an inspiring person who was very determined.

Thank you for all your advice that you gave me when I needed it over the years.

I will miss you mate.

Rest in Peace

Love to your Family
Edward McGuire
From
WMFS
Craig rest in peace my friend
Louise Harris
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Craig

From first meeting you at Ladywood Fire Station you was a shining light and such a positive person.

True gent

Rest Easy
Jason O'Callaghan
From
WMFS
Ahh Willow, you had us all at our best at Training School, checking our uniform before Pete Luckin an Pat Carrol arrived for inspection, showing us a handy trick to ensure shirts were tucked in. You were a ball of energy, and enthusiasm throughout training school, and this never faltered when you learnt of your illness. This manifested into true grit and enormous determination to take on a fight most would have conceded early. Your amazing dedication to understanding your fate, and to fight as long as you did had us all in awe and amazement, even joining in on the Birmingham half marathon in fire kit was one of the best memories I have of you!! Goodbye Brother, stand easy, and rest in peace.
Steven Whitworth
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Your enthusiasm for life was unmeasurable, from training school to department, you had enough energy for everyone. Rip Craig
Andy Botterill
From
WMFS
From the day I first met Craig, on our recruit course in 2004, he struck me as always being 100% committed in everything he did, there were no half measures with Craig. His enthusiasm and the way he approached every day of that course was an inspiration. I next met Craig on our FATM Instructors course 4 years later and I can honestly say that he hadn't lost any of his enthusiasm, passion and energy for the job. Unfortunately, I never crossed paths with Craig again but I often spoke to people who told me about his courageous fight against his illness and it was of no surprise to me that he approached it with the same vigour and determination as he did everything in his life. Craig's approach to life should be an inspiration to everyone he is a great loss to us all.
Daniel Ward
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Willo



You were both a warrior and a force of nature.

And at BTC, you certainly set a benchmark (or two) for the rest of us.



Rest easy now

Utrinque Paratus
Chris Jeffery
From
WMFS
Craig,



You were the most happiest, dedicated, kind, colleague and true professional Firefighters.



Our professional lives crossed at Highgate Fire Station where we would forever chat during cross over of shifts. Your long battle with illness was a credit to the individual you were.



Committed, a fighter, inspiring and incredibly brave.



Your legacy will live on through your son Ryan. Thinking of your family at this incredibly sad time.



Rest in peace, thank you for your service and stand down now brother.



Chris.
claire mcquoid
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Craig,

You have been an inspiration to so many people and families, where most people would have hid their battles you spoke about it openly to help others.



Even though I saw you at jobs, I got to know you more in OLPD where we would have conversations about your family and your journey, normally whilst you were working out in the gym in CDC.



Your advice and passion that you gave me to support Freddie will never be forgotten and always checking in to see how we were getting on.



Your creation and design that I saw in your work was amazing, and I am not quite sure if you realised how good you were.



To hear your stories of how much love you had for your family and how proud you were of them all.



Sending love to all your family and I know Annette will keep telling your beautiful boy Ryan all the stories of his Daddy x xx x
Pete
Craig,



As you knew, I was never one for public displays and would much rather opt for quiet contemplation. However, I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't honour your memory here as your other friends have.



Our paths first crossed when we were kids in the same cadet organisation. By all accounts you had earnt your reputation as being gung ho and welcoming danger with open arms even then! When we each joined up and went our separate ways it was a random mutual acquaintance that put us back in touch and we became great friends as a result. Inseparable rogues actually!



As I look at the various photo's, either cammed up and trying to look ally, hanging off the side of a mountain or suited for Remembrance Day or a night on the tiles, the memories that flood back bring anything from a smile to raucous, uncontrollable laughter and that's really you in a nutshell buddy. Like a bag of L2's going off from the moment you woke to the moment you were down...



You always brought a smile or laughter out of anyone and it was infectious Craig.



I'm genuinely privileged to say we were brothers.



Annette and Ryan will be loved and cared for as you know and would expect.



Until Valhalla...
Jase Dean
Stand down, Craig. RIP
Rob Baird
RIP Craig. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

A life well lived.
Luke Kesterton
From
WMFS
Craig,



I had the pleasure to know you for over 20 years both as a friend and later on as a colleague.



I have many memories of nights out drinking far too much and vivid memories of some of the most confident and "interesting" dance moves ever attempted...



What is not mentioned above is your years of dedicated commitment to the cadet forces and to local youth groups. Over the years you made such a positive impact on so many eager young minds. Holding yourself to account as a role model, you embodied the values instilled in you by your military background and approached everything with infectious tenacity.



You fought your illness with the same tenacity; researching, learning, adapting and educating as you went. You used your own journey and story to comfort and give courage to numerous other people that had been diagnosed, without hesitation and with empathy.



You were a whirlwind of a man and your enthusiastic and eccentric ways will be missed by many.



Rest in Peace.
David Owen
From
WMFS
Craig,

What a true, & kind Gentleman, always up beat and a positive person to everyone you cam in contact with.

We always spoke at change of shift at Ladywood & you would always have a beaming smile & always something positive to say.



We ran the Birmingham half marathon back in 2013 in full fire kit!

I can honestly say it was one of the most challenging things that I have ever done! but for you it was a breeze! due to your dedication to health & fitness, the only thing that let you down was that crap white head sweatband that you thought you looked cool in!



Craig, you have been a strong & dignified person throughout your illness, you fought to the end.

My deepest sympathy to Annette & Ryan,

Stand down Craig, rest in eternal peace brother X
Brian Kirkbride
Craig, you were one of the most inspiring positive person despite what you were going through, you always showed immense positivity, commitment to your work, and a drive for life. You were a true joy to work with. I hope you are now resting in eternal peace. Sending condolences and love to Annette, Ryan, your family.

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