Chief Willie L. Paulk, Jr.

Willie L. Paulk, Jr.

Retired Master Sergeant (USAF)

Retired Fire Chief

Willie Lee Paulk, Jr., was born on July 11, 1948, to the late Willie L. (Sr.) and Hannah (Thomas) Paulk, in Birmingham, Alabama. On the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024, after remission, intensity and more remission; battling, punching and kicking at Prostate Cancer for 15 1/2 years, surrounded by his family, Willie, with amazing grace made a peaceful journey, a detailed journey, containing date and time…the inevitable transition. 

He was raised in Union Springs, Alabama by his late paternal grandparents, Willie and Cora Lee Paulk. After graduating from Carver High School, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. In February 1968, at 19 years old, Willie voluntarily joined the US Air Force where he served 24 years in Fire Protection. During his Air Force career, he received an abundance of formal training, experience, education, and certifications. He learned to value discipline, dedication, integrity, loyalty and courage. He experienced world travel, touring numerous duty stations, including Vietnam. Master Sergeant Willie Paulk retired from the US Airforce in February 1992. Immediately following his Air Force career, Willie moved to Savannah, GA after accepting a Deputy Fire Chief position at Savannah International AirPort. He remained in Savannah for six years. 

His ultimate goal was to be Fire Chief of his own Fire Department. After 30 years of climbing the ranks, dedication, discipline, education, the opportunity was granted in 1998 when he was hired at Augusta Regional Airport by the then Executive Director Al McDill. He was humble and excited about taking the helm as Fire Chief. While at Augusta Regional, Chief Paulk provided 20 years of leadership, working diligently to ensure the safety of Airport employees and passengers daily. He achieved successful FAA Inspections, purchasing of new apparatus and equipment, mentoring firefighters and staff, training, and creating policies, processes and procedural practices. Chief successfully demonstrated loyalty, which afforded him years of respect and friendships with current and previous staff working alongside Executive and Intrim Directors: Al McDill, Tim Weegar, Ken Kramer, Willis (Buster) Boshears, Gary LeTellier, Roy Williams and Hubert Judon. In addition to building strong relationships, Chief worked to achieve the goals and objectives established by the Augusta Aviation Commission, via chairpersons, Ed Skinner, Marcie Wilhelmi, Cedric Johnson, Jay Forrester, Doug Lively, Randy Sasser. He was truly respected and trusted by many Airport employees.

Chief Paulk ended his 50-year career in fire protection, retiring from Augusta Regional Airport in March 2018. 

He enjoyed all sports but most of all, he LOVED the Crimson Tide (Alabama Football)! 

Left to mourn his passing: his wife, Sheila Paulk; one daughter, Shirley (Solomon); sons, Aaron (Monica), Daryl, Willie III (Jazzlyn), Duane, Waides (Kijafa) and Quinton (Tammie): his 91-year-old Aunt, Ruth (Al) Marshall, of Ozark, Alabama; 23 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchild; a host of other relatives, and lifetime military, fire protection, childhood friends.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Pastor Aaron Bandy officiating. A live stream of the service may be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcyOTI5MDUxNzMzMzE3MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Prostate Cancer, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741www.donate.cancer.org

The family will receive friends following the service in the Garden Lobby of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907