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Photos: Memorial and funeral for William 'Billy' Warneke
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Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighter William "Billy" Warneke is memorialized and buried Wednesday, July 10, in Marana. He was among 19 firefighters who died June 30 in the Yarnell Fire.
Funeral for firefighter William Warneke
Fred Warneke, center, is comforted by others following the funeral ceremony for his brother Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
The U.S. Marines unit that fired the 21-gun salute slowly marches from the graveside during the funeral ceremonies for Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
Avra Valley Fire District captain Lyle Kennedy stands at attention during the playing of Amazing Grace at the funeral ceremonies for Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
A giant U.S. flag is suspended over the roadway between ladder trucks from Goulder Ranch and Northwest Fire District at the funeral ceremonies for Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
Members of the Patriot Guard line the roadway as the fire truck carrying the body Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke pulls into the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
The pall bearers lift the casket as they prepare to take the body of Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke to the graveside at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
Roxanne Warneke is consoled by a fellow mourner at the funeral ceremonies for her husband Granite Mountain Hotshot William Warneke at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily StarFuneral for firefighter William Warneke
Under threatening skies, a Patriot Guard rider leaves the funeral of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke at the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
People line Moore Road to watch the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
Former Marine Gerald Badgett from Marana attaches a flag to his Hummer before the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
Dick Poffenberger from Dove Mountain stands with his cap over his heart as the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
People gather along Moore Road as the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
Fallon Ross, 7, whose father is a firefighter for Rural Metro, lays down in the back of her family's SUV with friends as they wave to the participants of the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
Bill Kelly watches as the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
Kristen Lingana holds her daughter MIkayla, 1, as she uses her phone to capture the procession bearing the remains of William Warneke proceeds towards the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery while on a Prescott Fire Department fire engine.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
The remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke arrive via Blackhawk helicopter at the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, for a procession to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
The remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke arrive via Blackhawk helicopter at the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, for a procession to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
The remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke arrive via Blackhawk helicopter at the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, for a procession to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
The remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke arrive via Blackhawk helicopter at the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, for a procession to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
As a bagpiper trails behind, the remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke are carried to an awaiting Prescott Fire Department engine at the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, for a procession to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarWilliam "Billy" Warneke memorial service
As onlookers watch roadside, a Prescott Fire Department engine carries the remains of fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke from the Marana Regional Airport, 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, to the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, 12146 W. Barnett Road, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Marana, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarMemorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
Bagpipe and drum players prepare for the memorial service for Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke, Wednesday, July 10, at Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Memorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
Memorial route for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke, Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily StarMemorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
Memorial route for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke, Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily StarMemorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
Forest Service fire trucks have black bands on their shields to honor Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke, who was among 19 firefighters who died June 30 in Prescott fighting the Yarnell Fire.
Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily StarMemorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
Memorial route for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke, Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily StarMemorial for Hotshot William 'Billy' Warneke
A small part of the crowd of firefighters, officers, agents, veterans and friends gathering to say goodbye to Granite Mountain Hotshot William "Billy" Warneke, Wednesday, July 10, at Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily StarMarana resident died 'doing what he wanted'
William "Billy" and Roxanne Warneke on their wedding day, Dec. 30, 2008, in Tucson.
COURTESY OF NANCY WARNEKEWarneke
TFD Captain Ken Ramsden, left and TFD Captain Roger Tamietti, right, and president of IAFF local 479, discuss the plumbing in the bath off the master bedroom in the home of Granite Mountain Hot Shot William Warneke on West Avra Valley Rd on Monday, July 8, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Warneke and his pregnant wife Roxanne were working to remodel their house when he was killed fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. A group of firefighters and church members have offered to complete the project and are calling on community volunteers for assistance. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily StarWilliam Warneke
William "Bill" Warneke, a 2005 Hemet High School graduate, served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before becoming a hotshot firefighter with the Prescott Fire Department.
"Billy loved nature. He wanted to be a firefighter and work to stop fires from spreading," said his grandmother, Nancy Warneke of San Jacinto, Calif., in a telephone interview Monday night.
"We are all so sad about what happened, but he died doing what he wanted to do. I find comfort in that," she said.
Warneke, 25, lived with his wife, Roxanne, on acreage in a rural setting. "They just moved out there in April after buying land and a mobile home," the grandmother said.
"They planned on fixing it up and getting animals, and planting a garden," she said, explaining that Billy followed Roxanne from Hemet, Calif. to Tucson after he was discharged from the Marine Corps.
The two were married Dec. 30, 2008 at the county courthouse in downtown Tucson. "They made such a beautiful couple," said Nancy Warneke. "Roxanne is so sweet and beautiful. Roxanne is expecting their first child in December."
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