WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Williams Planning Commission could not reach a decision Aug. 24 on whether to officially rename Ella Way in honor of the late Bill Vann or retain the historic street name while recognizing Vann through additional signage.
The commission ultimately postponed a recommendation to the Williams City Council after a motion to keep Ella Way as the official name and add an honorary Bill (William) Vann Way designation failed to receive enough votes. Commissioners said they wanted more information about costs and additional input before reconsidering the issue.
The Williams Fire Protection Authority and Williams Volunteer Firefighters Association requested the name change in recognition of Vann, a longtime Williams businessman, landowner and supporter of the fire department. Vann died in a helicopter crash near Colusa in August 2021. His family helped make development of the city’s new eastside fire station possible by dedicating property for the project.
The new facility is already planned to be dedicated as the Bill Vann Memorial Station.
Ben Mayes, chairman of the Williams Volunteer Firefighters Association, said Vann had been a longtime volunteer with the fire department and was instrumental in getting the new station built.
“That project would have never come to pass without Bill,” Mayes said.
Mayes noted the fire authority and city are separate agencies. While the fire organization is honoring Vann through the station and memorial, Mayes said renaming the street would provide separate recognition from the city.
Ella Way carries its own piece of Williams history. It was named for Ella Williams, one of six daughters of William Williams, an early settler for whom the city was named. Belle Way and adjacent Marguerite Street were also named for his daughters.
Renaming Ella Way would have relatively little impact on existing addresses, officials said. Woodland Community College’s Colusa County Campus is currently the only addressed property on the street, although the new fire station will also carry an address there. City Planner Katheryn Ramsaur said the college’s street number needs to be corrected regardless, making the timing favorable if the city chooses to rename the roadway.
But commissioners and members of the public wrestled with whether changing the official name was necessary.
Williams resident Joanne Burnett suggested naming the new fire station for Vann was recognition enough.
“I think that is a very awesome tribute to the family,” Burnett said. “I don’t think we also have to name the street after him. I think one is sufficient.”
Caroline Vann, who identified herself as Vann’s cousin by marriage, also questioned changing the street name, noting the city already has Vann Street. She suggested a broader designation could recognize other firefighters who have contributed to the community over the years. She also asked what replacing the signs would cost the city, a figure Ramsaur did not yet have.
Commissioners discussed Memorial Way as a possibility to recognize firefighters more broadly. They ultimately considered a motion to keep Ella Way as the official street name and add an honorary Bill Vann Way sign beneath the existing street sign.
Chair Steven Jeet and Commissioner Caleb Bediako voted in favor while Commissioners Jonathan Solis, Brayan Velazquez and Cassandra Franco abstained.
With the motion failing to receive enough votes, commissioners agreed to bring the matter back. They indicated they wanted more feedback from the public and Vann’s family, along with information about the cost, before making a recommendation to the City Council.