Ron Whitt, 56, was pronounced dead Friday afternoon at St. Louis University Hospital.
On Thursday afternoon, Whitt was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of West Main Street and Illinois 157 in Collinsville when he was involved in a wreck with a car.
Collinsville Fire Department officials said late Friday afternoon the department will honor Whitt in some fashion, but plans had not been finalized.
Fire Chief Jim Twyman said the mood at the department Friday was somber.
"We all worked with him for years," Twyman said. "He was a real likable person. He always volunteered to help do things. He was a good friend."
Whitt was named Fireman of the Year for Collinsville in 1992. He retired in 1998 after 19 years of service but continued visiting the department frequently to chat with firefighters.
Witnesses said Whitt had a green light and was heading north on Illinois 157. The other car had been heading south on Illinois 157 and was attempting to turn left onto West Main Street. The car did not have a green turn arrow.
Both Whitt and the car driver hesitated for an instant, but the car pulled forward and Whitt was unable to avoid the collision.
Police have not released the name of the 16-year-old driver of the car. The wreck remained under investigation Friday, police said.
Whitt suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle wreck on the same road in May 1995. Whitt's close friend, Bud Ginter of Collinsville, said he wouldn't have hesitated to let a family member ride on the back of Whitt's motorcycle.
"That's how safe a rider he was," said Ginter, another motorcyclist who often rode with Whitt. "Ron was an extremely safe, cautious rider. I've never known him to take a chance on anything."
Ginter said Whitt often helped people in need, never spoke critically of anyone and was good company.
"You were just comfortable with the man," Ginter said.
