By Olivia Mitchell
cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Just before a hockey tournament Friday, Joyce Williams stepped onto the ice at Rocket Arena for the ceremonial puck drop, joined by her daughters Terri Simpson and Sylvetta Williams.
It was an emotional moment.
The family was honoring Symeon S. Williams Sr, an EMT and apprentice firefighter who died in May 2025 after suffering a medical emergency during training just weeks into the fire academy.
He was one of five fallen firefighters honored at the Cleveland Firefighters Hockey Fest, a two-day tournament hosted by Cleveland Fire Fighters IAFF Local 93, in partnership with the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Cleveland Fire Fighters Hockey and the Cleveland Monsters.
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The fourth annual event aims to bring together first responders, families, and supporters for competition and remembrance.
Williams, the youngest of seven siblings, was remembered by his family as a devoted father to two sons and someone who quietly helped others.
“He was a real man,” his mother said. “He was a son, a father, a brother, an uncle, a friend. Wherever he went, he lit up the room.”
His sisters recalled a childhood incident when Williams helped rescue a kidnapped girl who was calling for help from inside a house, an act they said reflected the courage that led him to pursue firefighting.
“He was the type of person who helped others, but didn’t blow a horn about it,” Sylvetta Williams said. “He did everything from the heart.”
“That’s just who he was,” said Tony McCall, an older sister of Symeon Williams Sr . “He always wanted to be of service to people.”
Joyce Williams said the loss remains profound for the family.
“Life isn’t the same,” she said. “He was our heart.”
IAFF Local 93 President Jake Konys said the event ensures Ohio’s fallen firefighters are never forgotten.
“For [ Symeon Williams Sr .] to walk through those academy doors, knowing the rigorous training and the sacrifices that he was going to have to make because he wanted to be a firefighter and to join our fire family, whether you spend one day with us or 20 years, once you’re with us, you’re family forever,” Konys said.
Williams and several others will be added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs in September. The list also includes Joseph Glossen of Massillon Local 251, Alan Van Kramer of Madison Local 3141, Jeffrey C. Riley of Toledo Local 92 and Roderick T. McElwain of Dayton Local 136.
Memorial games were held Thursday at C.E. Orr Ice Arena in Euclid with teams competing through tournament rounds and a championship slate.
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the families of the honored firefighters.
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