The Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen honored a long-time Smithville firefighter, who passed away last November after a long illness. The family of Wallace Dale Caldwell, a 17-year veteran and Chaplain of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, was recognized and presented with a plaque at the last monthly meeting on Monday, February 7.

At the start of the meeting, Mayor Josh Miller presented a plaque to Caldwell’s wife, Carolyn, as other members of Caldwell’s family looked on. “At the end of last year we lost one of our own, Mr. Wallace Caldwell,” said Mayor Miller. “This plaque is being presented in memory of Wallace Dale Caldwell.”

“He was a man dedicated to his family, friends, and community,” Miller continued. “He served us as Chaplain and a valued member of the Smithville Fire Department as well as the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains and the Tennessee Fire & Codes Academy. He also served his community as a member of the Smithville Planning Commission for many years. He will truly be missed. In his memory I would like to present to you this plaque on behalf of the city council and myself.”

Along with Carolyn, Caldwell’s daughters, Kitty Thomas and Tiffany Caldwell, son-in-law Tony Thomas, and granddaughter Carly Thomas were on hand for the presentation.

“My husband truly loved the Lord,” Carolyn said. “He loved being the Chaplain. He loved being a father and husband and he absolutely loved this city. We have lived here a long time. We have been married 50 years and it would have been 51 years in March. He truly valued every fireman and he prayed for them. He prayed for this council and our mayors, whoever they might have been. I thank you very much.”