First Official Benbrook, Texas Fire Department Funeral Scheduled

Oct. 14, 2004
Billy Trammell lived and breathed the fire service.
Billy Trammell lived and breathed the fire service.

At 14 he became a junior volunteer fireman in his hometown of Benbrook, and aside from his time in the Army, he stayed with it until he retired as chief of the department in 1992.

He was a Benbrook city councilman, a member of the Benbrook Water Authority and a Little League coach.

Aside from his family, the Fire Department was his life. He was its first full-time employee and its first chief, and he built it into the professional department it is today.

Chief Trammell, as he was known to many, died Monday after a three-year fight with Alzheimer's. He was 77.

After his funeral at 1:30 p.m. today at Greenwood Funeral Home Chapel, his body will be transported to Benbrook Cemetery aboard Engine 3.

Fire Chief Tommy Davis said it will be the first official Fire Department funeral in the city's history.

City Manager Cary Conklin said it is an appropriate honor.

"Bill was a household name, and the Trammell family has streets named after them in the city," Conklin said.

Davis said a fire unit from River Oaks has volunteered to answer any fire calls during the services.

His daughter Judy Estes said that even in retirement, her dad couldn't stay away from the firehouse.

Mr. Trammell was born Oct. 3, 1927, in Wichita Falls to Mary and Add Trammell. His parents moved to what was the tiny town of Benbrook when he was an infant. For many years they operated Trammell Dairy. It closed in the 1950s.

He graduated from Paschal High School and served in the Army Medical Corp in the last days of World War II. He was called back to service during the Korean War and earned the Bronze Star.

After retiring as fire chief, Mr. Trammell was a Benbrook city councilman from 1993 to 1995. He served on the Benbrook Water Authority from 1997 to 2000.

In addition to his daughter Judy Estes, survivors include Pat Trammell, his wife of 36 years; a daughter Brenda Voss of Weatherford; a brother, Charlie Trammell; sisters, JoAnn Day, Gen Spradling and Margaret Watson; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral information

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Greenwood Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Benbrook Cemetery.

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