Terrell, Texas – Thousands of people, including firefighters from all over Texas and the country, filled the Terrell Performing Arts Center and an auxiliary overflow room for Dallas Fire-Rescue Firefighter William “Scott” Tanksley's funeral services on Monday morning.
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Tanksley, a 15-year veteran of the department, was killed in the line of duty last Monday. He was also a Kaufman County resident who grew up in Kemp, Texas, where he met and married his wife, Wendy, on February 14, 1998 – a year before joining the fire department. Friday, Valentine's Day, would have been their wedding anniversary.
“Scott was a near and dear friend,” said Gary Freeman, a lifelong friend of Tanksley. “He always had the world at his fingertips. He was a good looking guy. He was the athletic guy. He was the smart guy. He could do it all. But he did it all in humility.”
“He never bragged about being the best, he just went out and proved it. He didn't preach about hard work, he just worked hard,” said Freeman.
“I wasn't surprised that he became a fireman because he liked the challenge, he liked the idea of helping people, he liked the idea of being in charge and coming to the rescue.” Freeman continued. “He didn't seek glory. He shunned the limelight actually and yet he always found himself in the limelight. He was a hero, a long time before this week.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Louie Bright and several other members of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department presented Tanksley's family with his firefighter helmet, dress hat, and other memorabilia from his fire service.
Tanksley's youngest son tearfully clutched his father's helmet for the remainder of the service and while Tanksley's casket was loaded onto the back of a Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 12 fire truck which was draped in black.
The procession departed the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center, passing under an American flag hoisted by two ladder trucks, and traveled on State Highway 205 where hundreds of people paid their respects along the route to Restland Memorial Park. The procession ended their route by passing under another American flag hoisted over the road by ladder trucks at the entrance to Restland Memorial Park where Tanksley was laid to rest in the Field of Honor.
“Scott was a near and dear friend,” said Gary Freeman, a lifelong friend of Tanksley. “He always had the world at his fingertips. He was a good looking guy. He was the athletic guy. He was the smart guy. He could do it all. But he did it all in humility.”
“He never bragged about being the best, he just went out and proved it. He didn't preach about hard work, he just worked hard,” said Freeman.
“I wasn't surprised that he became a fireman because he liked the challenge, he liked the idea of helping people, he liked the idea of being in charge and coming to the rescue.” Freeman continued. “He didn't seek glory. He shunned the limelight actually and yet he always found himself in the limelight. He was a hero, a long time before this week.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Louie Bright and several other members of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department presented Tanksley's family with his firefighter helmet, dress hat, and other memorabilia from his fire service.
Tanksley's youngest son tearfully clutched his father's helmet for the remainder of the service and while Tanksley's casket was loaded onto the back of a Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 12 fire truck which was draped in black.
The procession departed the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center, passing under an American flag hoisted by two ladder trucks, and traveled on State Highway 205 where hundreds of people paid their respects along the route to Restland Memorial Park. The procession ended their route by passing under another American flag hoisted over the road by ladder trucks at the entrance to Restland Memorial Park where Tanksley was laid to rest in the Field of Honor.