South Boston
Fire - EMS
South Boston Fire Company's former fire chief passes away at age of 84.
Lawson Wyatt "Fats" Osborne Sr.
July 25, 1920 - May 15, 2005
L.W
"Fats" Osborne was the first paid chief in the history of South Boston Fire
Department. After returning home from World War II, Osborne served as a
volunteer firefighter from 1947-1953. He was employed as a paid
firefighter in 1953 and was promoted to chief in 1957. In addition he was
the state fire instructor for 28 years and was a past president of the Virginia
Firefighter's Association. He retired from the fire department in 1986 and
was made a life member of the South Boston Fire Company.
"He
was an asset to the community and always gave himself freely to help others,"
stated Chief William Murray. "He set an example for us by the type of man
he was."
Pictures below demonstrate the many ways the South Boston Fire Company as well
as the Town of South Boston honored it's former fire chief.
The entrance to the town of South Boston displays their respects for Chief Osborne.
South Boston Fire Station drapped in black in memory of Chief Osborne.
Truck 104 is drapped in black in memory of Chief Osborne.
Empty gear is displayed is front of one of the trucks while engineers stand by.
South Boston Fire Company Members stand in respect at the entrance of the cemetery as the funeral procession enters.
Members of South Boston Fire Company attend Chief Osborne's funeral.
Members of South Boston Fire Company carry the flagged drapped casket of Chief Osborne to his final resting place as other members form the walkway path.
American Legion Post 8 presents the folded flag to wife Merle Osborne. Chief Osborne was also a World War II veteran and member of the legendary F-Company, the company who where among the first to storm Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day.
Standing at ease, South Boston Fire Company members attend the funeral of Chief "Fats" Osborne. Members wear black bands on their badges to display the company's loss.
A 21 gun salute was given by American Legion Post 8 in memory of their fallen World War II veteran.
Truck 104 at the funeral services displays flowers to form the way we all knew him best - "Fats".
The entrance to the town of South Boston displays their respects for Chief Osborne.
Pictures courtesy of
Engineer Dwight Spangler.
Quotes from Murray
are from the
Gazette-Virginian article , Monday, May 16, 2005.
Web
Design by
Becky S. Martin
Email:
webmaster
Last Modified:
January 20, 2006
