bobenchain300Battalion Chief William E. Obenchain Jr.

Please read through this entire post to learn about Billy, view pictures, and see past articles. The reference in the title of this post will be recognized by many, but if you don’t get it you will if you read this article all the way to the bottom!

If there are updates to this post I will let you know!
Funeral and visitation arrangements for Billy Obenchain are: visitation Sunday December 27 from 1-4 and 6-9 at Oakeys in Vinton, Funeral will be Monday December 28 at 11am at Vinton Baptist Church.

Keep up with more news on Engine 9 Blog

A true hero died today! Retired Battalion Chief William E. Obenchain Jr. passed away at his home. Chief had suffered for years with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Recently he began battling leukemia. He never complained.

Billy’s last assignment was Northside Battalion Chief on C-Shift. He was hired on November 9, 1981.

To say that he was the most beloved firefighter would be a gross understatement. He was known and loved by so many. Not just for his leadership and managerial qualities as a Chief but also because he was a great firefighter. He served in many roles and ranks within the Roanoke Fire Department and later the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. His tenure as Battalion Chief might have been shorter and he might have continued climbing the ranks had he not become ill. You never know, he might have become a Deputy Chief or even Chief of the Department.

2006_0827fire-ems20060012

Billy wanted a photo of the entire Battalion. His firefighters made it happen. Kenny Walker has a turnout coat covering his Hawaiian shirt (he came in off of vacation) and I missed it because I was on ARFF. The photos are by Holly Lipes. View more of her photos online here.

Billy is widely known by the “younger” generation coming into the fire service for his infamous speech given at a live burn exercise. Since, the speech has been recited at each recruit school in Roanoke City. The speech can be viewed in a previous article published as a part of this post located at the bottom of this post.

Billy wasn’t ONLY a firefighter. Actually, Billy was a husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He drew much of his strength in the last several years from his grandson Hunter. It was enough for me to see him light up when you asked about Hunter.

Billy’s brother, Randy, was also a firefighter in Roanoke City. He retired in 2005 at the rank of Lieutenant. Billy’s son ,Zak, is a firefighter at station 2 C-shift.

He was a long standing Council Member for the town of Vinton. His current term ending 6/30/2010. Actually, Chief got his start as a volunteer for the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department back in the day. He is a life member.

His wife Karen has been a rock during the last many years of Billy traveling to Duke for treatments. Her caring of Billy and watching over him while he suffered has been a testament of their love for one another.

Needless to say that Billy’s family extends a lot farther than his niche in how you may know him. Even in the fire service, his reputation spread like wildfire. Chief was one of the guys you looked up to for how to do things like respect others, treat others well, and give each other a good ribbing. Oh yeah…Billy enjoyed having fun. Working with the likes of Louie Kennett, Oscar Smith, John Sweeney, and Billy you were not given much room for error. Indeed he worked around some great guys! Some guys who will be forever enshrined in the history of Firefighting in Roanoke by the stories they are attached to.

Billy Obenchain is one of those names which will remain in stories, history, and lessons which new firefighters will learn about in future generations. Roanoke has some of the best firefighters in the World. Most of them are not easily impressible. Needless to say, when Billy walked in the room people gathered to hear what he had to say. We wanted to learn…we needed to learn…

If there were a Roanoke Hall of Flame, Chief Obenchain would be on the top of the list!

No matter what…

WE WILL NEVER FORGET BATTALION CHIEF WILLIAM E. OBENCHAIN JR.

A Retirement Dinner for a heroes hero

Roanoke City Retires a Hero

Roanoke Fire-EMS Battalion Chief Retires

WEO T-shirts

If you Don’t Know Well Now You Know

Lunch at 9 with Billy Obenchain

The following was an original article written by me and posted on VAFireNews.com. The article was deleted when VAFireNews.com was redesigned in Nov. 2008. On one occasion in the summer of 2009, Billy found out about this article and the following article. I got him copies of both.This article was originally written on November 11, 2006.

A Retirement Dinner for a Heroes Hero

Story and Pictures By Rhett Fleitz

PICT5048Last night, over 100 firefighters, friends, and family members of Retiring Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain packed the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association Union Hall to celebrate the career of their Brother. Billy Obenchain has been suffering from Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, and has decided to retire after being off of work for several months battling the disease. Prior to Billy going on sick leave, he was able to battle the disease and work, while going to Duke for treatments on his days off.

Captain Anthony Wallace and the rest of his firefighters from Station 9 C-shift hosted the evening featuring a catered dinner from J.J. Price (4A) and Trung Nguyen.

Soon after Billy arrived, Captain Charlie Fochtman began the evening with a heartfelt speech which left very few dry eyes. Billy responded by telling the crowded Hall that “I didn’t make me, you made me” a humble response to the outpouring of support and recognition for a man who so many look up to. Billy’s Wife, Son, and daughter in law were right by his side. Gary Huff, a Battalion Chief in Roanoke County and longtime friend of Billy, and his wife attended as well.

Some of the on-duty Firefighters were able to stop by and enjoy dinner as well. The on-duty crews rotated throughout the evening so that as many Companies could attend as possible, while still keeping the City protected.

Billy was also given some very special gifts during the evening. Firefighters got him a replica brass bugle, reminiscent of the beginning of the Roanoke Fire Department 125 years ago. Billy was also presented with a frame of his helmet shield, Roanoke Fire-EMS patch, and the name plate and “Battalion Chief” off of his turnout gear. Firefighters had a cake made which was a replica of his helmet.

This next article, again in its entirety, was also removed when VAFireNews.com was redesigned. The story was about Billy retiring and was published on October 8th 2006.

Roanoke City Retires an Icon

By Rhett Fleitz

bobenchain300Yesterday morning the firefighters of Roanoke City’s Northside C-Shift Battalion learned that their beloved Battalion Chief was retiring. Battalion Chief William “Billy” Obenchain announced that he will be retiring from the job he loved. Billy stated “I wanted to be here a long time because I enjoyed coming to work”. Billy has been battling Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma for several years and has been unable to work for the past several months due to the illness. For years, his love of the job was contagious among his subordinates and often brought out the best in his firefighters.

In a cluster meeting of several companies, Billy said “There is nothing like what is in this room next to your Families and God”. He felt his most important goal was to return each of his firefighters home the following morning just as they had come to work.

To say that Billy is the most respected member of the Roanoke City Fire-EMS Department would be an understatement. Ever since he joined the Department in November of 1981, he knew the importance of the Brotherhood of Firefighting. He set the bar high and ensured that his men knew their job and would perform under any circumstances. He demanded his firefighters to continue learning throughout their careers, and challenged them every day.

Billy hopes that the future firefighters of Roanoke City will “learn the spirit of the job and the spirit of love for one another” just as he made sure he never lost sight of. Billy felt the most important part of being a firefighter is taking care of each other.

Randy Obenchain, Billy’s brother, drove the two around from station to station as they delivered the sorely anticipated news. Randy retired last November after 27 years in the department. He sat quiet as Billy spoke about leaving the department he loved in less then ideal circumstances. Much like Billy’s battle with his illness, delivering the news was not easy to do. Battling through tears, Billy expressed his love for the job.

Billy’s firefighters, especially his crew at station #2, had witnessed his quiet suffering over the past several years while he remained working, hoping to beat the illness and keep doing the job he loved.

The firefighters of Roanoke City have championed Billy’s cause and began raising money for research of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. A t-shirt has been marketed with a tribute to the beloved Chief. The back of the shirt reads:

If you want to be a clown,
you’d better be lookin’ for a circus.
If you’re lookin’ for a free ride,
here’s a dollar; call a cab.
If you want to be a “Showman”,
Vegas will welcome you with open arms.
If fulfillment of an ego is high on your
priority list, might I suggest Hollywood.
And if you want to be a millionaire,
by all means, this ain’t for you.
But, if you don’t mind hard work, sweating in
freezing weather, getting back less than half of
what you give, and finding your name at the
bottom of your own priority list,
then stick around!
I believe you could be a FIREFIGHTER


Battalion Chief William “Billy” Obenchain

This poem, read at the beginning of each Roanoke City Recruit School, is the unofficial creed of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. Billy wrote it during a live fire training exercise in Roanoke several years ago. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, please contact Richard Lipes at Rlipes@msn.com.

I have been busy recently, but that is no excuse for not getting the news up here. I expect a longer post in the next couple days with photos and all. Let me know if I missed any…

Kenny Walker (14B) retired yesterday with 20 years in the FD and 8 more elsewhere in the City.

Brad Underwood (ARFFB) retired yesterday with 27 years on the job.

Chuck Mills retired about a month ago and I only found out last week. He had 18 years in the FD. Chuck is pursuing work in the Middle East. He will be working in Iraq as a firefighter.

I will have more information in the near future when I have time.

Good luck guys!

E13 and L13 went down to Station 9 for homemade ice cream. M9 had been there for a minute between calls, but missed the photo op. L-R is Captain Willie Wines Jr., FF Josh Slaughter, FF Josh Compton, FF Chris Elmore, Lt. Jeremy Benninton, 1st Lt. Sam Stump, FF Brad Glidden, FF/PM Scott Boone, and Captain Robert Perdue. Not in picture are FF Kenny Walker and FF Ben Obaugh on M9, Lenny English transferred to M2 for the day, and myself behind the camera. This picture was taken on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. The guys got to enjoy some comraderie and ice cream after a busy day of several calls due to a storm that came through Roanoke.

You can thank Kenny Walker for nagging me every day we work together for finally getting around to putting this up on the blog. Kenny is pictured to the left.

The Roanoke Fire Fighters Association held its Annual Awards Banquet on February 2, 2008. The event, which will be moved back to December this year, was attended by 1/3 of the members and their spouses, dates, and significant others.

The event was held at the Holiday Inn Airport, formerly the Clarion, just as it has been in the past.

After dinner, the new officers of the Local were sworn in and the awards presentation began.

The following Awards were given out (from memory so forgive me for any errors):

Engine 6, Medic 6, and RS-1 “C” Shift received a Company Citation for an EMS call with a stabbing victim. The crews had an amazing turnover time from on scene to arriving at the hospital.

David Lucas received a Firefighter Citation for pulling a paramedic and patient from the back of a burning ambulance at RMH.

Engine 9 “A” Shift received a Company Citation for rescuing a man from a house fire.

Ladder 7, Medic 7, Medic 4, and RS-1 “A” Shift received Company Citations for the rescue and subsequent resuscitation of Firefighter Scott Hetherington at a house fire.

And the Firefighter of the Year Award went to Captain Doug Rorrer and Lieutenant Travis Simmons for rescuing FF Hetherington.

I do not have the letters in front of me, so I did not elaborate on the awards. I believe I got them all.

There were also 4 Retirement Axes given out this past year. Captain Gary Laprad, Captain Eddie Fielder, Lieutenant John Dubose, and Firefighter David Sexton all retired this past year. Only Eddie Fielder was at the banquet to receive his axe.

I believe that everyone enjoyed themselves. It seemed as though there were plenty of good times to be had by all.

Jordan’s Custom Framing gave us a deal on 3 large prints which were framed and raffled off. The pictures really turned out amazing. Captain Mutter made off with one, someone else won the other and the guys at #9 bought the other one straight up. Rodney really did a great job on the frames.

I know most of you all tune in each day to see something new or read the newer comments on older posts. I will have a couple of posts coming up soon. I have been a little busy with selling and purchasing a new house.

First and foremost, I will be dissecting this issue with UNUM, Empower, BCI, Global…Whatever they call themselves insurance company. I will be looking at many different dimensions of this issue and I hope to enlighten you.

I will also have some pictures up from the banquet. Mainly just to get Kenny Walker off my back.

I have a post that I have wanted to do on the promotional process. The problem is that every time I think of it it is right at promotion time. I would have rather had it out a couple of months ago. Look for that in the future.

And last but not least, we have to come up with an award(s). I would like to see an award given out in some form or fashion from right here on the Roanoke Fire Blog. It could be annually, monthly, weekly, whatever. I just need some ideas. I might have some ideas this weekend.

Maybe weekly superlatives? Sounds pretty good. However, I wouldn’t want to hurt anyones feelings. I can see it now: The firefighter most likely to….


Northside C-Shift
Originally uploaded by firefleitz.

Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain stands with the crew of Engine 14. Pictured from left to right are Pete Uzelac, BC Billy Obenchain, Captain Willie Wines Jr., Lt. Stacy Boothe, and Kenny Walker.

I have to say that it takes motivation and dedication to put together a photo opprotunity with the entire Battalion. Thanks to the guys at Station #2 for putting it together. It is guys like you who raise the bar. What will we think of next.

Special thanks to Travis Collins for the pictures. Click on the picture to see other pictures of the day.

Preston K. Hundley was hired on as a firefighter on January 19, 1976 (merely a year before I was born). P.K. has spent the last several years assigned to Ladder 1 C-Shift. He is retiring with 30 years on the job. It is good to see another one of Roanoke’s Bravest retire with good health. Good luck in retirement. P.K.’s last day was March 27, 2006.
L-R Eddie Carter, P.K. Hundley, Richard Carter, and Kenny Walker
The only one left out of this picture is Kenny, the rest have retired
(above)
P.K and Johnnie Lester receive Firefighter of the Year awards
at a Christmas Banquet
(above)
P.K. at an unknown event (above)