By Tim Bragg
Fresno Bee (California)
Copyright 2006 McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
VISALIA, Calif. — Firefighters from across the state are expected to converge on a southwest Visalia church today for memorial services honoring a local colleague who died last week in a plane crash.
A memorial service for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection battalion chief Robert Stone will be held at 2 p.m. today at Visalia First Assembly of God Church, 3737 S. Akers Road.
Stone, 36, was killed Wednesday morning when the CDF scout airplane in which he was riding crashed in the Tulare County mountains near Balch Park.
The airplane was circling a small wildland fire in the area that fire crews were working to extinguish.
The crash also killed pilot George “Sandy” Willett Jr., 52. Willett, a resident of Hanford, worked for CDF contractor DynCorp.
A small funeral procession for Stone will travel from Exeter to the church, and CDF officials are urging members of the community to show their support for the Stone family by being present as the procession rolls by.
CDF officials said the procession is expected to travel down Caldwell Avenue between Mooney Boulevard and Demaree Street at approximately 1:15 p.m.
Akers Street between Caldwell and Road 276 will be closed from noon to about 3:30 p.m. to accommodate the large number of fire engines and other vehicles expected for the memorial service.
Memorial services for Willett also begin today, with a Rosary service at 6:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 10355 Hanford Armona Road in Hanford. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Both services are for family and friends, according to CDF officials.
A memorial service open to the public will take place at noon at the Kings County Fairgrounds at 810 S. 10th Ave. in Hanford.
An investigation into what caused the men’s plane to crash is continuing, CDF spokesman Jim Dellamonica said Monday. He said no cause has been determined.
CDF personnel and firefighters from other areas in the state will help staff county fire stations today to allow local firefighters to mourn their fallen colleagues, said Dellamonica.