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Photo by Erin Nelson. Starnes Media
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex to celebrate the life of Chelsea’s first fire chief, Wayne Shirley, Jr., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of the Chelsea Fire Department for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Erin Nelson
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex to celebrate the life of Chelsea’s first fire chief, Wayne Shirley, Jr., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of the Chelsea Fire Department for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Erin Nelson
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex to celebrate the life of Chelsea’s first fire chief, Wayne Shirley, Jr., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of the Chelsea Fire Department for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Erin Nelson
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex to celebrate the life of Chelsea’s first fire chief, Wayne Shirley, Jr., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of the Chelsea Fire Department for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Erin Nelson
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex to celebrate the life of Chelsea’s first fire chief, Wayne Shirley, Jr., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of the Chelsea Fire Department for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Leah Ingram Eagle
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Leah Ingram Eagle
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Leah Ingram Eagle
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Leah Ingram Eagle
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Leah Ingram Eagle
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Photo by Erin Nelson. Starnes Media
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Fire departments across greater Birmingham travel down U.S. 280 as Engine 33 of Chelsea Fire and Rescue transports Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley, Jr., to Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of Chelsea Fire and Rescue for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson. Starnes Media
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Fire departments across greater Birmingham travel down U.S. 280 as Engine 33 of Chelsea Fire and Rescue transports Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley, Jr., to Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of Chelsea Fire and Rescue for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson. Starnes Media
Funeral for Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley
Fire departments across greater Birmingham travel down U.S. 280 as Engine 33 of Chelsea Fire and Rescue transports Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley, Jr., to Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Shirley served as chief of Chelsea Fire and Rescue for 19 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
A crowd filled the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena Saturday morning to celebrate the life of Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley. He passed away on Aug. 6 from a chronic liver condition.
The 45 minute service featured an opening by his nephew, Gregory Dawkins, who said his uncle loved God, Florida State and being a fire fighter.
"Uncle Wayne was smart," he said. "He worked for Jesus by working like Jesus. He lost his life on earth, but found his life with Jesus."
A musician played acoustic versions of "I Can Only Imagine" and "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone."
Pelham Fire Chief Tim Honeycutt, also Shirley's cousin and friend, said he was in his position because of Shirley.
"He never missed an opportunity to brag on members of the Chelsea Fire Department," Honeycutt said. "When he was in the hospital, he told me to check on his guys and make sure they're okay. He put service before self and we can bring honor to him by serving as he served."
Steve Wallace, a former chaplain for the Chelsea Fire Department spoke of how Shirley approached him several years ago about establishing a chaplain program for the department.
Bronson Moore, from Church of the Highlands Greystone Campus where Shirley attended, said a few words at the conclusion of the service.
Members of Chelsea Fire & Rescue served as pallbearers and loaded the casket onto the Chelsea Fire truck for the procession to the cemetery.
The funeral procession for Fire Chief Wayne Shirley left the Pelham Civic Complex, traveled down Hwy. 119 then down Hwy. 47 to the Liberty Baptist Church cemetery. Over 50 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from various fire departments from Shelby County and beyond took part in the procession.
At the cemetery, after a brief message, the traditional of the bell ringing took place. The bell was rang thrice, three separate times, which symbolized an end of emergency and the return to quarters. Also, the last call came over the radio. This is a reminder of a firefighter's sacrifice. A dispatcher called to Chief Shirley three times, and after a few moments of silence, the dispatcher acknowledged that was his last call. A flag was presented to Chief Shirley's sister, Deborah Dawkins and his fiancee Tina Jiles.