For more than 20 years Neil Willis has been a fixture in the Russellville Fire Department.
That tenure came to an end September 1st, as Willis' medical retirement became effective subject to approval by the Russellville City Council at its September 5th meeting.
When he was hired on March 3, 2003, the 38-year-old Willis became the oldest fire fighter to go through the rookie school at the Alabama Fire College, and he likely taught his younger fellow cadets a thing or two about physical fitness.
Willis advanced steadily up the ranks within the department, as he was promoted to lieutenant in 2006 and captain in 2014. He earned an impressive 24 certifications through the Alabama Fire College and Willis led the Franklin County Dive Team for 18 years.
He didn't intend to or want to retire. But after recent knee replacement surgery on both knees, Willis' orthopedic surgeon advised he would not be able to return to work due to the physical demands of the job.
“I had total knee replacement on both knees,” Willis said. “One knee is doing really well and one not so well. I love serving this city and have given it my heart and soul.
“I love helping people and that's what I do in this job. It's going to be really difficult for me not to be part of this department,” he added.
Russellville City Councilman Darren Woodruff said Willis is the type of person who puts serving others first and both the RFD and the City of Russellville will be impacted by his retirement.
“Neil is a great guy with a great family. He's done a great job for the City of Russellville and it's a shame seeing him have to retire because of a medical condition,” Woodruff said. “I wish Neil and his family the best and may God bless them.”
Willis has been on medical disability since October 2022 after having both knees replaced three weeks apart.
When he spoke with RFD Chief Joe Mansell about his medical retirement, it was an emotional conversation for both men.
“I talked with Chief about becoming a volunteer fire fighter,” Willis said. “I still want to be part of the department and I'll go on any fire call I can and I'll try to be at most of them. Having someone with 20 years experience helps and I'll help any way I can.”
In Willis, Mansell may have the state's most overqualified volunteer fire fighter.
“He and Jonathan Pace (another 20-year RFD veteran who retired recently) will be more than just volunteers. They'll provide fire ground support at the scene and that's going to help our department a lot,” Mansell said.
With two experienced fire fighters retiring this year, Mansell said losing more than 40 years' experience certainly impacts the department.
“Jonathan was a lieutenant and Neil a captain. I hated to see them go. When you start taking guys in excess of 20 years experience, that puts the hurt on the department,” Mansell said.
Along with the recent retirement of Noah Daughtery, the Russellville Fire Department is left with 17 employees. The department is currently accepting applications and Mansell hopes to return to 20 employees soon.
“Everyone in the fire station, including me and (Fire Marshal) Justin Green, we all fight fire, so it's important to be fully staffed,” Mansell said.
In his retirement letter, Willis summed up what it means to be part of the brotherhood of the RFD.
“Today, as I retire, I have one last request—that I may be put on as a volunteer. I have years of experience and knowledge I want to pass on and still help my brothers as we move this department forward. I still want to be a part because Russellville Fire has been my life and is such an integral part of who I am,” Willis said.
“When you spend 24 hours with someone, that's more time than you spend with your own family. It's a brotherhood and a family and it's hard to give it up,” he added.
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