- April 17, 2024
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Ashley Wilson speaks before firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends on the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach during the celebration of the life of her husband, Ormond Beach firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach firefighters gather in front of their department's engines at beach by the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Jett Johnston, son of professional surfer Jeremy Johnston and chef Mackenzie Smith, poses on a surfboard at the beach by the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach firefighters stand in front of their department's engines at the beach by the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ethan Wilson's brother-in-law, Bryon White, organized the ceremony to celebrate Wilson's life at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ethan Wilson's brother-in-law, Bryon White, organized the ceremony to celebrate Wilson's life at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Brother-in-law Bryon White says he has good things in his life because Ethan Wilson was a part of it. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ethan Wilson's wife, Ashley Wilson, thanks everyone for their support and love as Bryon White listens. Photo by Michele Meyers
"The color of my husbands eyes will always be my favorite color," Ethan Wilson's wife Ashley Wilson said. Photo by Michele Meyers
Bryon, Megan and Winslow White listen to family and friends tell stories at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gathered at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ethan Wilson's wife, Ashley Wilson, tells the crowd her husband was "pure, kind, hardworking and always ready for a good time." Photo by Michele Meyers
C.J. Coccia tells everyone to "live a little like Ethan" at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
C.J. Coccia tells stories about Ethan Wilson during the celebration of his life at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
C.J. Coccia hugs Ashley Wilson at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach during the celebration the life for her husband, Ormond Beach firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Nates speaks during the celebration of life for firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Nates hugs Ashley Wilson during her husband's celebration of life at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Kris Kerr, part of the Bombsquad crew, kept his message brief so everyone could head out on their boards for the paddle-out in honor of his friend Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gathered at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to honor firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to honor firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to honor firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to honor firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to honor firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters from the Ormond Beach fire department struck the bell eight times as Ethan Wilson's last alarm at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighter Ethan Wilson's shirt is displayed during his celebration of life at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Firefighters, EMTs, police, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson. Photo by Michele Meyers
The American flag fluttered in the wind atop two firetrucks against a backdrop of grey skies at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk on Saturday, Feb. 11. Hundreds of people were gathered to honor, remember and celebrate the life of Ormond Beach firefighter Ethan Wilson, who died on Saturday, Feb. 4, following a surfing accident at New Smyrna Beach.
His brother-in-law, Bryon White, organized the ceremony that gave family and friends a chance to share stories about Wilson, as well as the opportunity to join a paddle-out immediately following the speeches.
“I wouldn’t have a beautiful wife and an amazing, adorable son if I hadn’t met Ethan,” White said. “It sounds like a crazy story — All the good things in my life that I have just because I met that guy, but through this I realize that my story really isn’t that unusual. So many of you have stories like that because Ethan had an outsized impact on everybody that he met. All of this is proof of that.”
White met Wilson in a high school art class. Wilson was a freshman and White was a senior. Eventually, the upperclassman began to give him rides home and was introduced to his sister Megan. They have been together ever since.
My husband is the most perfect person I have ever met. So pure, kind, hardworking and always ready for a good time.” — Ashley Wilson, wife of Ethan Wilson
Wilson, a firefighter and paramedic with the Ormond Beach Fire Department, dedicated his life to public service. He was the vice president of the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters Association and was previously employed by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Communication Center.
“He saved so many lives and gave comfort to so many while he was here,” said Ashley Wilson, his wife. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave his body so others could continue with their families.”
Upon his death, Ethan Wilson wished to donate his organs to people in need. On Feb. 4, he did just that — AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach surgeons recovered his organs and staff were able to find matches immediately.
Eight years ago, Ashley Wilson recalled how she arrived at The Garlic restaurant by scooter because she had a broken ankle. She was there to meet Ethan for their first date. She knew he was special after the staff moved her scooter and she couldn’t find it, and Ethan Wilson carried her to the bathroom. The couple had recently welcomed the birth of their son, Coast.
“My husband is the most perfect person I have ever met,” Ashley Wilson said. “So pure, kind, hardworking and always ready for a good time.”
C.J. Coccia became friends with Ethan Wilson in middle school. Growing up with him gave Coccia first-hand knowledge of the caring qualities he possessed. He asked everyone to make a promise.
“Try to live a little bit more like Ethan,” he said. “Be stoked like Ethan was. Love people like Ethan did. Help people like Ethan did. Treat strangers, friends, family like Ethan did. He loved everyone. He always opened up his heart and opened up his arms. He was always there for you. I think the world would be so much better if we all followed the suit that Ethan did. Now it’s up to us to follow those guidelines and try to create a world that we know Ethan would be absolutely stoked for Coast to be growing up and living in.”
Following the stories about Wilson, the fire department then announced his passing over the radio and struck the bell eight times for his last alarm. Flowers were given out to those that were paddling out.
“We are going to close this out the traditional New Smyrna way that we honor our own,” White said. “It’s time to get wet. If you have a board, a wetsuit, an inflatable flamingo, whatever the case may be, we are going to head east and pay our respects to Ethan.”
