Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 5-19-17

Local
Man Dies In East Tampa House Fire
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A house fire claimed the life of a Tampa man late Tuesday night. The fire took place at 4515 N. 41st Street.
According to police, fire- fighters received the 9-1-1 call at 9:48 p.m., and re-
sponded to the residence. When firefighters arrived, the home was fully en- gulfed. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the center of a single-story wooden structure.
Firefighters began searching the property that contained three separate units. They were able to ac- count for the four adult ten- ants living in the two end units. They continued the search and found one vic- tim in the center unit. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, with fire- related injuries.
Police have identified the man in the center unit as Mr. Timothy Dewitt Williams, 60, who died as a result of his injuries.
The initial investigation indicates that there were no signs of foul play. The fire was brought under control shortly after 10 p.m., and no other injuries were re- ported.
A Tampa native, Mr. Williams was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James (Margaret) Love. A wid-
TIMOTHY DEWITT WILLIAMS 9/20/1956 —- 5/16/2017
ower, he is survived by his younger brother, Eric, 1 son, and other family mem- bers and friends.
He began his educa- tional journey at St. Peter Claver Catholic School. He graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 1974.
Following graduation, Mr. Williams enrolled at Hillsborough Community College, where he pursued Culinary Arts as a major.
Mrs. Love said her son went to school for training
This is the home where the fire took place Tuesday night at 4515 N. 41st Street. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Fire Depart- ment).
and worked as a Chef by trade after graduation. She further stated that he dedi- cate more than 25 years of his life to his trade before he was forced into early retire- ment because of medical is- sues.
A Catholic by faith, he attended St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and would often volunteer his services at the church.
She described her son as an avid reader and said, “He loved reading and would read everything he
could get his hands on. He would collect books that were taken out of circula- tion. He was always eager to learn.”
Mrs. Love further said that Mr. Williams loved repairing things, tinkering, and bargain shopping.
Funeral services for Mr. Williams were incomplete at press time. Aikens Fu- neral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is con- tinuing.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017