A FAMILY TRADITION: Fighting fires in Mount Ayr
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Bill Stull in 2002 with the refurbished Mount Ayr fire engine at a Mount Ayr car show.
By Mike Avitt
You could say Bill Stull has continued a family tradition. You could say his heart is in service. But, now you can say Bill Stull has been a member of the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department for fifty-one years.
Bill’s father Burl Stull was a member of the fire department for thirty years. Bill grew up attending functions at the fire station, so joining the department was as natural as it was desirable. “I wanted to be of service to the community,” says Bill.
Bill’s service, however, began well before he joined the fire department.
He graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1965, and enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1966. While on leave, he married Faye Dillenburg on June 24, 1967 and was soon deployed to Viet Nam as a member of the Seabees, also known as the United States Naval Construction Battalions.
Bill was discharged in June 1969 after having served three years.
After returning to the states, Bill and Faye moved to Creston, but returned to Mount Ayr in 1972.
Bill’s attempt to join the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Dept. resulted in him being placed on a waiting list. The department has a policy of having no more than twenty-four members.
In January 1973, it was announced two new members had been added to the force: Gerald Summa and Bill Stull.
It was at this time, Barton French, another member of the department, began what would become a dive and rescue team, and Bart began training other members in the use of scuba equipment.
The charter members of the dive team were: Bart French, Jim Brand, Gerald Summa, and Bill Stull. But, there was a catch – Bill had yet to learn how to swim!
“They had to teach me how to swim before I could be on the team,” Bill says with a smile. The dive team is still in operation today under a regional system.
Bill’s wife Faye is a member of Embers, an auxiliary of the fire department. This organization started in November 1968 with Mildred Sobotka as president.
It was at this time the fire department had moved into their new building at 201 E. Madison and there was still some debt involved in the construction, material, and equipment. Embers assists with fund-raising, event preparation, and many other functions, They also provide food and drinking water to firefighters battling grass fires, which can be a lengthy process.
Bill says many changes have occurred over the years, including the types of fires fought. Smoke detectors and fire-retardant building material is part of the reason.
The use of electric heat in homes has greatly reduced the number of flue fires. Also, the burning of trash and yard waste is now against city ordinances. Grass fires still remain as common as ever.
As technology improves vehicles and equipment, more space was needed which resulted in the building addition constructed in 1994-95.
An open house was held August 12, 1995 to display the new, 3.500 square foot addition which would be used for training exercises, scuba storage, office space, meeting room, kitchen and dining hall.
Vera Hunt joined the department in 2009 making her the first woman to be on the squad. She also trained for the dive team.
There are three women on the roster today.
The fire department is involved in many activities besides fire fighting.
Participation in parades, Fire Prevention Week, fire awareness exercises, and auto shows is common for the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department. The firefighters get a kick out of how excited the children are to ride in a fire truck during a parade.
Bill’s experience in the MAVFD has been a rewarding one. One recipient of the department’s services showed his gratitude by purchasing a truck for the firefighters. Saving homes, pets, and people is fulfilling, but there is also tragedy.
On January 16, 2000, the department was called to the fire and explosion in the McNear home in east Mount Ayr. The entrance to the home was inaccessible, so holes were cut in the back of the house with chainsaws to retrieve two bodies. An adult and three children perished in the explosion.
Fighting fires can also be very dangerous. While responding to a fire at Heartland Energy on April 4, 2013, a collapsed ceiling severely broke Bill’s right leg. He had three operations over the next two years, but stayed active in the department to the extent that he could.
Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Wimer says Ed Rotert and Bill Stull are usually tops in percentage of calls answered every year.
Bill and Faye’s son Daniel joined the force in 2010. He later moved to Creston and joined the department there, currently serving as Creston Fire Department’s Captain, a full time position.
There have been two other department members so recognized for 50 years of service: “Big Ben” Thompson in 1939 and Owen Campbell in 1989.
So, after serving as fire chief and assistant fire chief, Bill joins that honored class. He also had the pleasure and reward of answering calls with both his father and his son.
As Bill is recognized for fifty-one years of service, we say “Thank You” for answering the call – home and abroad.
