Amityville firefighter turns 100
HUDSON — William A. Hills, the last living founding member of the North Amityville Fire Co. on Long Island, celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday at the FASNY Fireman’s Home on Howard Avenue.
Hills has been a resident of the home for approximately a year and a half.
Hills, who served as a firefighter for nearly 77 years, was joined by his children, grandchildren, members of the fire company and friends, who traveled from all over the county to celebrate his birthday. His greatest accomplishment? Turning 100, Hills said.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.
Originally from Amityville, Hills helped establish the fire company in 1940 and remains an active member to this day, his daughter, Dianne Soper, said.
“They still call him about different business and issues. He’s always been an involved person,” Soper said.
Hills was born Jan. 19, 1917, and spent his first 20 years living on a barge. He served with the military police in WWII and ultimately established his own business on Long Island that provided gold leaf lettering for fire trucks, Soper said. When the firehouse was built in 1940, Hills himself paid for and provided the steel.
“We didn’t have a firehouse back then or a real fire truck — we had a hose wagon,” Hills said. “We accumulated over the years to get to where we are now.”
Among Hills’ favorite memories was playing in a band with the Republic Aviation.
“I played guitar,” Hills said.
Hills has two daughters and two sons, and growing up with Hills as a father meant a lot of traveling.
“He’s been to every single state in the Union,” Soper said.
New York State Senior Historian and Curator Craig Williams interviewed Hills in 1997. Sitting down with Hills was like undoing a cork of vivid memories and experiences, Williams said.
“When he talked to me about the canal, it was just incredible,” Williams said. “Here was somebody from New York City who got to know upstate suddenly, when the canal froze in ‘36 and he had to stay on the barge.”
In recognition of Hills’ longstanding career with the fire company, current chief Aaron Collins attended Hills’ 100th birthday celebration Saturday to present a surprise award from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s office.
“It’s a proclamation for outstanding service,” Collins said. “The governor wanted to reach out personally to thank him for almost 77 years with the fire company.”