Even as his health declined, Charles Wilkie was known to dedicate as many hours as he could to the Polkvillle Volunteer Fire Department.
Wilkie, 53, passed away Saturday after spending half of his life serving the Polkville community as a volunteer firefighter. In his 34 years with the department, Wilkie spent more than 10 years as captain and earned the title of Fireman of the Year in 1999 and 2011.
“He was as dedicated and prideful in the Polkville Fire Department as anybody,” Assistant Fire Chief Todd McMurry said.
Family, fellow firefighters and friends gathered in the fire station bay Monday afternoon for a funeral service honoring Wilkie. As the service concluded, firemen carried the casket adorned with flowers and a fire helmet to an antique truck.
A bright red fire truck led the procession with the firefighters walking alongside and behind the antique truck down the street to Wilkie’s final resting place at the Polkville Baptist Church Cemetery.