The fireman’s prayer is a poignant reminder that whenever a firefighter responds to an alarm, they may be taking their own life into their hands. The last two paragraphs of the prayer have become especially relative to people in Stonewall and Clarke County today who knew George Wimberly.

“I want to fill my calling, to give the best in me,

To guard my friend and neighbor, and protect their property.

And, if, according to your will, I have to lose my life,

Please bless, with your protecting hand,

my family and my wife.”

Wimberly, 63, died of an apparent heart attack while responding to a fire Wednesday. Flags in Stonewall are flying at half staff today and family, friends as fellow firefighters prepare to bid farewell to one of their own.

“I knew George for many, many years. We’ve been friends for a long time,” Clarke County Fire Service Coordinator Lindy Slay said Thursday afternoon. “We were both in the National Guard together years ago and then in the fire service since then. Firefighters, both full-time and part-time, are a tight knit group. Everyone knows everyone and their families.”

Emergency responders first received the fire call just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. It involved a blaze at a vacant house on Priester Road.

About five minutes after the first call, firefighters were alerted to a medical emergency. It involved Wimberly, a 10-year department veteran.

Officials say Wimberly was traveling southbound on Highway 513, less than a mile from the fire and less than half a mile from where he lived, when he is thought to have had a heart attack, causing his vehicle to come to a slow rolling stop in a convenience store parking lot.

According to reports, Wimbely was found slumped over the steering wheel.

Lauderdale County Fire Service Coordinator Clarence Butler said stress is a big part of being a firefighter. He noted that everyone in the fire service must be ready at a moment’s notice to respond to emergency calls. Any one of those calls could put the lives of firefighters in jeopardy.

“You have to drop what you are doing at that minute the call comes in and then shift gears to help save someone’s property or even their life,” said Butler. “It really hits home whenever you hear of a fellow firefighter losing his life. But this is what we’ve chosen to do.”

Funeral services for Wimberly will be held today in Stonewall at 11 a.m. Slay said many area departments will be represented.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the fire.