When Bill McCord’s name is mentioned in the New Hope community and among District 3 firefighters, it is accompanied by glowing tributes.
Awesome. Dedicated. Role Model.
Though the praise is effusive enough to make him seem superhuman, McCord has had his bouts with human frailty. McCord, 79, suffered a stroke in December.
He could not attend the dedication of the new District 3 fire station. But that did not stop the Lowndes County volunteer firefighters from dedicating the new building in his name.
“There are no words to describe the gratitude deserved by (Bill McCord) for the service he has rendered to this county and its citizens,” District 3 Supervisor John Holliman said, reading from a proclamation signed by the Board of Supervisors at the Dec. 15 meeting.
McCord is the former District 3 fire chief and has been a volunteer firefighter for about 40 years. He was fire chief for 38 years and a presence in the department when the original District 3 fire station was built in 1974.
In October, he stepped down from his post but remained active in the department until his recent stroke. The station, which opened at the end of 2011, is on Stadium Road next to the New Hope Community Center. They had a grand opening and dedication ceremony Sunday at the station. New Hope residents came to show their appreciation for the firefighters and McCord.
“It’s a good day that we can accept this (proclamation),” said Jimmy Hildreth, volunteer fire department board president and District 3 station captain. “But it’s a sad day that Bill cannot accept it with us.”
The plan to name the building after McCord was formed in October.
“He didn’t want the building named after him until he was gone, but we did this as a tribute to him,” Hildreth said.
Firefighter Steve Pyle said McCord started the station in New Hope.
The old District 3 fire station was on New Hope Road near New Hope High School. One of the reasons for building a new station in a new location was the amount of traffic during certain times of the day when New Hope High School is in session.
The new station is the main station for the Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department. The metal frame building is approximately 6,600 square feet. Volunteer firefighters responded to almost 800 calls in District 3 in 2011 and has been on scene for 20 through the first week of 2012.
Pyle said McCord is at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo doing rehabilitation.
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