In Loving Memory of Henry Williams and HaLayna Elliott

In Loving Memory of Henry Williams and HaLayna Elliott

With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we remember Henry Williams, a retired fire chief who devoted his life to protecting others, and his beloved daughter, HaLayna Elliott. Their lives were tragically taken in an act of violence that has left family members, colleagues, and the wider community in deep mourning.

According to the Ferguson Police Department, Williams had asked relatives to come to his residence on Clay Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. When family members arrived roughly 40 minutes later, they discovered an unthinkable scene. Henry Williams was found deceased in the kitchen, and HaLayna Elliott was found deceased in her bedroom. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

Beyond the tragic circumstances, Henry Williams’ life tells a story of courage, leadership, and service. As a retired fire chief in Berkeley, he dedicated his career to safeguarding lives and property, answering calls at all hours, and standing at the front lines during moments of crisis. Fire service is more than a profession — it is a calling rooted in selflessness. Those who worked alongside him likely remember his steady leadership, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to his team and community.

To wear the uniform of a fire chief is to carry immense responsibility. It means guiding firefighters into dangerous situations, making split-second decisions, and placing the safety of others above one’s own. Henry’s years of service reflect a life defined by bravery and duty. Even in retirement, that legacy of dedication would have remained part of who he was — a protector, a leader, and a pillar of strength.

HaLayna Elliott, his daughter, was a cherished member of the family whose life held its own promise and meaning. A daughter’s bond with her father is one often built on shared memories, lessons learned, and quiet moments of support. HaLayna’s presence brought warmth and connection into the household. She was more than a victim of circumstance — she was an individual with dreams, relationships, and a future that deserved to unfold.

The loss of a father and daughter together is a heartbreak almost beyond words. For their relatives, grief now comes layered with shock and disbelief. For friends and former colleagues, the pain is equally profound. A man who once ran toward danger to protect others has been taken in a way that leaves many searching for understanding.

Communities are built on trust, service, and family. When violence strikes within a home — a place meant to provide comfort and security — it shakes that foundation. The tragedy on Clay Avenue is not only a personal loss for the Williams and Elliott family but a sorrow shared by all who knew and respected them.

Today, we choose to remember Henry Williams for his years of honorable service, for the lives he helped save, and for the leadership he provided. We remember HaLayna Elliott for the love she shared, the relationships she nurtured, and the light she brought into the lives of those around her.

Though their lives ended far too soon, their memory endures. It lives on in stories told by fellow firefighters, in cherished family photographs, and in the quiet strength of those who continue forward carrying their love.

May Henry Williams and HaLayna Elliott be remembered with dignity and respect. May their family find comfort in the outpouring of support that surrounds them. And may their lives — marked by service, family, and connection — never be forgotten.