William (Billy) Warneke

William Howard “Billy” Warneke was born August 13, 1987, in the small town of Hemet, California, and was an avid outdoorsman from an early age, spending time camping, hunting, and fishing with his brothers, Fred and David, and sisters, Melinda and Victoria. Billy and his brothers spent most weekends in the hills behind their home hiking, target shooting, paintballing and living off of MREs. Life was simple and rugged – just the way they liked to spend time together. After graduating from Hemet High School in 2005, Billy fulfilled his first life’s dream at the young age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He deployed twice during his four years of service, including one tour in Iraq. He served with the Second Battalion Fourth Marines, eventually becoming a Scout Sniper. After leaving the Marine Corps in July 2009, Billy focused on achieving his next dream: becoming a member of a Hotshot fire crew. He graduated from Pima Community College in Arizona with an Associate’s degree in Applied Fire Science, then turned his focus to the Hotshots. After completing a rigorous tryout that was both physically and mentally challenging, Billy was selected to join the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew in April 2013. Sadly, on June 30, 2013 Billy, along with 18 other Granite Mountain Hotshots, died while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. Those 19 men will forever be remembered as heroes who died protecting people, animals, homes and the wildlands they all deeply loved. ~~~~~ Long before Billy’s brother, Frederick, married my daughter, I knew both boys very very well and there is no one I feel deserves this honor more than Billy. His entire adult life was spent serving his country and his community. May the Good Lord bless all our heroes. http://whwmf.com/about-billy/

Submitted by: Susan Herda