Gov. Mike Kehoe has ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Tuesday, in honor of Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department firefighter William "Bill" Nix.
The order extends to all state buildings in Oregon County, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City and all firehouses statewide.
“In his retirement, Bill Nix answered a calling to serve Oregon County by becoming a volunteer firefighter,” Kehoe said. “A retired trucker, Bill could handle the Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department’s large tanker. He also expertly maintained the department’s other trucks, earning the 2022 Thomasville Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award for his dedicated service. Firefighter Nix's commitment to helping others and his devotion to supporting his community serves as inspiration to all of us to give back. Claudia and I send our heart-felt prayers and condolences to the Nix family and the entire Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department.”
On the evening of Jan. 16, Nix was responding to a structure fire as a passenger in a Thomasville VFD fire engine when the vehicle overturned on U.S. 160, 4 miles south of Thomasville, causing Nix’s death.
The driver of the fire engine, a 66-year-old woman from Birch Tree, suffered serious injuries in the accident, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A proclamation has been issued by Kehoe further recognizing Nix's service to his community and the firefighters who "selflessly devote their lives to ensuring the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens."
