BWG Volunteer Firefighter William 'Billy' Powell' was celebrated Sunday afternoon with a drive-by parade on Maplegrove Avenue in Bradford.
A message of congratulations was also played this message across dispatch that was heard across the region:
Powell has been a volunteer firefighter with Bradford West Gwillimbury Fire and Emergency Services since October 1996.
He was part of a recruit class that included retired firefighters Alan Grant and Dave Pizel, as well as current volunteer Captain Orbin Antonio.
For 25 years Billy has served his community responding to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, rescues and more. He even had his picture in the paper once for saving a cat from a house fire.
It never mattered to Bill what kind of call it was or what time of day or night it was, he was always one of the first ones to arrive at the hall ready to help. Residents of Maplegrove Avenue will wonder why the F-150 isn’t roaring up the street at all hours of the day or night anymore.
There is a plaque at the fire hall that recognizes the firefighter that responds to the most calls annually and Billy Powell’s name has been engraved on that plaque seven times. The hottest of summer days when vehicles are melting on the highway or the coldest of winter blizzards could not keep Billy from responding to a call. He could be assigned to a hand line and 16 hours later he’d still be on that nozzle smiling like it was his first time. Being a firefighter never got old for Bill.
It wasn’t just the emergency calls that he responded to. Bill has a caring heart and never failed to offer his time to help raise money for charity at car washes and boot drives or posing for a calendar. Once he even spent a cold autumn night sleeping on the roof of Canadian Tire for the Heroes In The Sky charity fundraiser.
Billy didn’t need recognition for the service he provided his community but he never missed the opportunity to recognize the service of our military by laying a wreath at the Legion on Remembrance Day on behalf of the Fire Department. His wife Sylvana will be glad the pager is no longer screaming in the middle of the night or in the middle of dinner, but when the trucks roll down the street with the lights flashing, you can be sure Billy will be on that truck in his heart.
It’s been a pleasure working with you William Powell. We look forward to being able to celebrate in a better way once the pandemic clears up. Until then, enjoy your retirement and don’t let the door take your lights off on the way out! See you in an hour.
Sincerely,
Your friends at BWG FIRE
