Aiken Man Honored By “Guardians of Hope”

In early April, one Aiken family had their lives completely upended when Jonathan Williams was killed after striking a train in downtown Augusta. The Guardians of Hope for Bikers and Their Families are working to restore some kindness and compassion in the wake of that tragic event. JWilly, as he was known to his friends, left behind his girlfriend of 8 years, Jennifer Burnette and their kids, son seven year old Grayson and 14 year old step-daughter Ava. But from this tragedy a local group of JWillys friends and fellow bikers hope to offer his family a small modicum of optimism in the aftermath of their heartbreaking loss. Brian Wilson heads up the Guardians of Hope for Bikers and their Families and they aim to not only help out this family in need but ultimately, make changes for the better for all motorcycle enthusiasts in the CSRA.

Guardians of Hope is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to bikers and their families in times of need. They offer assistance with medical expenses, funeral expenses, and other financial burdens. They also provide emotional support and a sense of community to those who have experienced a loss or are going through a difficult time.

Guardians of Hope was founded by a group of bikers who wanted to make a positive impact in their community. They believe in the power of kindness, compassion, and generosity, and they strive to make a difference in the lives of those they touch.

On Saturday May 11th, the Guardians will mount up for a memorial ride in honor of Jonathan Williams. They'll start out at Brian Wilson's shop, Motorcycles and Misfits, at 1371 Augusta Road in Warrenville with coffee and a few words of remembrance, then the group as a whole will ride down to 6th street in Downtown Augusta and place a monument in Williams' honor.

In the meantime, you can sign the petition the Guardians have drafted to have the city of Augusta and the railroad to mark the railroad crossing at Reynolds Street with crossing arms or at the very least some red flashing lights and hopefully prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again in the future.

If you're a biker or a family in need, or if you'd like to get involved and support their mission, you can find more information on their website or social media channels.