Family wants safety changes after beloved Alabama father drowns at a state park

PELHAM, Ala. — After 20‑year‑old father Will Chisholm drowned at Oak Mountain State Park, his family is demanding safety changes at one of Alabama’s most visited outdoor destinations. For the Chisholm family, the loss feels unbearable. Now, they want answers.

Will Chisholm Vanished Near the Buoy Line

Will Aden Chisholm had been at the beach with his girlfriend and their 8‑month‑old son on Saturday WBRC reports. They were playing in the water when he suddenly slipped beneath the surface near the buoy line and did not resurface.

First responders arrived within minutes. Pelham Fire Department crews deployed boats and a dive team. They found Chisholm about 45 minutes after the initial 911 call.

Family Says He Was a Loving Father and Man of Faith

Chisholm’s sister, Amanda Chisholm‑Milligan, keeps his Bible and graduation cap inside her home. She described him as joyful, affectionate, and deeply connected to his faith.

“Will was a beam of light,” she told local news WBRC. “He was loving, kind, and affectionate.”

She said he wore his cross necklace every day, including the day he drowned.

Loved Ones Cite Hidden Drop‑Off and Lack of Lifeguards at Oak Mountain Park

Chisholm’s brother‑in‑law, JoaQuin Milligan, told WBRC the family learned about a steep underwater drop‑off only after the drowning. He believes the hazard poses a serious risk to swimmers.

“We have learned that there is a dangerous drop‑off in that lake,” he said. “It is a huge safety concern.”

WBRC reports the Shelby County Coroner confirmed this is the second drowning at the park this year and the eighth in five years. A 3‑year‑old drowned at the same beach three months earlier.

The family says the park’s lack of lifeguards is unacceptable and believes a trained guard could have saved Chisholm’s life.

Family Launches GoFundMe to Support Chisholm’s Son

The Chisholm family created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and support Chisholm’s infant son. Donations continue to grow as the community rallies around them.

Amanda said she hopes her brother’s death leads to real safety changes at the park.

“If there was this safety concern when someone else lost their life, then it should have been addressed when the first person lost their life,” she said.