Last Friday, the Blair County community held a special funeral procession in recognition of Bill O’Brien, a volunteer firefighter. 

 

O’Brien recently died at his home in Tyrone after a battle with cancer.

 

Born in Altoona, O’Brien graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 1962 and served in the Air Force shortly after. He was a member of the Air Commandos. 

 

When he returned to the region, he went back to being a volunteer firefighter. His ties to the Neptune Fire Company started at the age of 16. 

 

He was the oldest active firefighter in the Tyrone department. His fellow firefighters say nobody knew the equipment and hydrants like Bill.

 

He was also a member of the Warriors Mark Fire Company.

 

Bill was a devoted husband, father of two, and Boyscout leader. He retired in 2004 from the maintenance department of PPG Industries in Tipton after 30 years.

 

He served more than five decades in the Neptune and Citizens Fire Companies

 

Bill O’Brien was 71 years old.