By Gary Nager
When your nickname is “Hambone,” you probably don’t expect anyone to name a road after you — especially before you’re retired — but somehow, that is exactly what has happened on Feb. 20 to Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 13 (Quail Hollow) firefighter William “Hambone” Hammond.
“Hambone” himself, in his 15th year at the station, was stunned to learn that his fellow Station 13 firefighter/paramedic and longtime work partner Jesus “JJ” Martinez had approached Chief Scott Cassin and others about how to go about getting a previously unnamed street (in the same Angus Valley area of Wesley Chapel as Station 13 itself, off Foamflower Blvd., a mile north of Old Pasco Rd.) after Hambone as a living tribute to a man Martinez called, “a true firefighter.”
Martinez also said that, “Hambone has an infectious smile. The most important people to him are the people we have to help.”
He added, “This street has had no name for many years but Hambone truly deserves this honor for his service to this community. Thanks, Hambone. I know that your Dad is smiling down on you today.”
Smiling directly at Hammond during the ceremony were his mother Betty and his brother Mark.
“Our station has always been linked to ‘the Valley,’” Hambone said of his service to the Wesley Chapel community. “I don’t deserve this. There are so many good men and women (serving) here. But, Wesley Chapel…Angus Valley…this is where my heart is.”
Chief Cassin was among the many Pasco fire, law enforcement and governmental dignitaries on hand for the dedication, which also featured a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and food from the nearby Wesley Chapel Cody’s Roadhouse on S.R. 54.
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