Wellsville Daily Reporter, 3-6-83
Transcribed by Crist Middaugh
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Alice and Claude Gowdy display the plaque they were awarded for 40 years of active membership in the Willing Volunteer Hose Company and Auxiliary.
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Willing firemen, auxiliary celebrate 40th year
Willing - Alice and Claude Gowdy were honored at a special celebration of the Willing Volunteer Hose Company and Auxiliary recently.
Company and auxiliary members celebrated 40 years of community service with a party at their firehall.
Guest speaker was John Woodard, field representative of the Fire Prevention and Control Division in Albany.
Other special guests were Mel Mickle, Allegany County fire coordinator; Clair “Speed” Guinip, District 3 deputy coordinator; George K. Goetschius and Louis Pakis, town councilmen; and Margaret Billings, town clerk. Charles McGill served as master of ceremonies.
Special honors were bestowed in several categories, as follows: Graydon C. Davis, Harry Pease and Lawrence Pflager, charter members; Claude Gowdy, Harry Pease, Allen Aiken, Charles McGill, Ted Mansfield, Cliff Eaton, Phil Aiken, Louis Pakis, Earl Nye, Fred Bennett, Bob Howe, Dan Nicholson and Garry Allen, past chiefs; the late Claire Minges, Elmer Aiken, William Carpenter and Earl Bates, past chiefs; and Mike Moland, present chief.
Certificates for years of service were awarded to the following:
- 40 years - Pauline Aiken, Irene Ellsworth, Alice Gowdy, Claude Gowdy, Harry Pease, Margaret Pease and Glade Weimer;
- 35 years - Cliff Eaton and Valera Weimer;
- 30 years - Margaret Bunnell;
- 25 years - Gerald Canfield, Marie Canfield, Onalee Pakis, Lloyd Shay and Merle Shay;
- 20 years - Gerald Cornelius, Robert F. Ellsworth and Eva Utter;
- 15 years - Fred L. Bennett, Eleanor Howe, Eugene Lewis, Dan Nicholson and Dennis Weimer;
- 10 years - Roger M. Billings Sr., Ronald Bolander, Judy Cornelius, Cory Guenter, James G. Hand, Wilma Wayman and Suzanne Williams;
- 5 years - Gregory M. Graves, Betty Lewis, Karen Nye and Terry Smith.