The legacy of a recently deceased fire chief will live on through eternity.

The Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company posted on its Facebook page that the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Emergency Training Center on Monday honored former Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company Chief Bill George at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The USFA issued a firefighter fatality notification and the flags at the Memorial to be at half-staff in honor of George. The USFA has also posted the information online via its Listserv and the USFA website, https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details.

“We thank them for the ongoing memory of Bill,” the post states.

George, who was also the owner and operator of George’s Plumbing and Heating, died July 4 at St. Luke’s Carbon Campus. He was 74.

His death was considered in the line of duty because he had been answering calls the day before he passed away.

The National Emergency Training Center campus is home to three monuments: The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, the “To Lift a Nation” Monument and the National Civil Defense/Emergency Management Monument.

Pete Beblavy, who serves as officer in charge of the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company, said the process goes through the county’s EMA, then through Pennsylvania Fire Commissioners office, then onto the federal level.

“It’s definitely an honor, national facility, national recognition that isn’t taken lightly,” Beblavy said.

“It’s a very serious honor, given to those who have had something happen in the line of duty and putting their time in, career and volunteer alike.”

As the first assistant chief, Beblavy noted that the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company has kept the position as chief vacant through the end of the year in honor of George.

He added the department will look to fill the position of fire chief when it holds its annual elections in December. The new term would start Jan. 1.

“Since Billy’s passing, the fire department is doing very well and we haven’t missed a beat, and that’s because of the foundation that’s been built by Billy and several other people as well,” Beblavy said. “It’s obviously a tragic loss, but that foundation has helped us see our way through the loss.”

George’s family issued a statement on the honor.

“To have Bill’s death recognized as a line-of-duty death, and to have him honored at the National Fallen Firefighters memorial is an immeasurable honor for our entire family. It’s difficult to put into words what it means to see someone who spent so much of his life serving others to now receive this recognition.

“His wife, Jane, says she could hear him saying ‘I don’t need all of this’ while still being humbled by the recognition and never wanting the attention.

“What makes this even more meaningful is that Nicole, Chris, and their sons visited the memorial last year before Bill passed away. While walking through the site and recognizing the sacrifices that these firefighters had made, they never would have imagined a day where Bill would be the one being honored. To have him honored at such a sacred place is something that can be carried with them forever.

“Bill’s legacy of service doesn’t end here. Chris (Jahelka) continues to serve as an assistant chief, Danny is a firefighter, and the next generation — Ben, Matt (Chris and Nicole’s sons), and Brady (Jackie and Danny’s son) — are junior firefighters all at Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Co. The example of service that Bill set through more than five decades of service continues to live on in his family.”