Fort Jackson said farewell to a distinguished volunteer Feb. 22.
Will Sexton, Fort Jackson fire inspector, has been a fixture on post volunteering in a variety of roles including Red Cross Blood Drive coordinator.
According to his boss, Eric Harper Fort Jackson’s Fire Chief, he is more than a firefighter or even a fire inspector.
“He is a community builder and as such, served in several roles within our installation. For instance, when the Cub Scout Den was scheduled to close for lack of a Cub Master, William took on the role, built program enrollment by 550%, and provided support to community to events such as Wreathes Across America, marching in Veteran’s Day Parades, collecting food for the needy, and posting of the national colors for a Harlem Globetrotters event.”
Sexton also jumped at the chance to read to children at the Thomas Lee Hill (Post) Library.
“There are many ways to make a difference,” Sexton said of his volunteer efforts. “Finding something you are passionate about and working at it make a difference. Not only does volunteering make a difference in the situation, but also in you. For me volunteering is restorative; its healing.”
Sexton as also been instrumental in helping clean areas across post.
Harper said he and others recovered six roll off dumpsters filled with trash and metal recyclables; cleared two illegal dump sites where he and others recovered four roll off dumpsters filled with trash and metal recyclables; cleared 16 dumpsters worth of trash from the post garden plot damaged by 2015 flood; and led fire extinguisher collections, where 2,200 unserviceable units were recycled and tens of thousands of pounds of dry chemical agent were reused and kept out of the environment.
“Will is a dedicated, compassionate, and trustworthy volunteer,” said Marilynn Bailey, with Fort Jackson’s Army Community Service. She was the post’s volunteer coordinator for many years. “He was named the 2021 Family Member/Civilian Volunteer of the Year. Without a doubt, Will encompasses the true meaning of a volunteer and gives of his time and talent to help whenever he can. Will’s volunteer contributions have greatly enhanced the quality of life for Soldiers and Family members of our community.
Sexton started his federal service in 1986 when he enlisted in the Army as a unit communications technician, where he retired in 2012 as a senior noncommissioned officer. Sexton started working as a 911 dispatcher on Fort Jackson in 2000 and in 2001 qualified to become a firefighter/emergency medical technician.
The ability to make a difference motivated Sexton.
“What I will miss most about Fort Jackson as a civilian is what I miss most from my time as a Soldier – being a part of a group of people from different backgrounds and different upbringings working together on a shared belief to create change and to make a difference,” he said.
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