Plainfield Fire Protection District Board Member Dies At 93

PLAINFIELD, IL — A longtime Plainfield resident and 60-year member of the Plainfield Fire Protection District died Friday. He was 93.

William "Bill" Barnes, born in 1931 in Joliet, began as a volunteer at the Plainfield Fire Protection District in 1955 and held various roles within the volunteer division until 1981. Ten years later, he returned to serve on the Board of Trustees.

For 34 years, Barnes, a U.S. Army veteran, served the district as both a board member and president. He was planning to complete his final year of service at the end of his term in April, Chief Vito Bonomo said in a news release on Monday.

"Bill's unwavering dedication to the fire district and the community was exemplified by his remarkable 60 years of service," the chief wrote.

Service times to honor Barnes's life are pending, according to Bonomo.

"We ask the community to keep Bill and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time," Bonomo wrote.