Robert L. “Bobby” Dunaway, chief of Howell Volunteer Fire Department in George County, Mississippi, passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2018. He was born on November 18, 1946 and was 72 years old. He responded to a vehicle fire and was working to extinguish it when he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. “Mr. Bobby,” as he was called by his fellow firefighters, had been an active member since the fire department was started in 1983. He loved serving as a firefighter and being there to help his neighbors.

He served in the United States Navy from December 1965 to October 1969. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie Dunaway; son, Shane (Melissa) Dunaway, of Helena, Alabama; daughter, Dawn Beasley, of Lucedale; grandsons, Blake (Lindsay) Dunaway, of Mobile, Alabama, and Nathan Dunaway, of Helena; granddaughters, Meghan Dunaway, of Helena, and Darlene Beasley, of Lucedale; mother, Hazel Dunaway, of Wilmer, Alabama; sister, Cindy (Tom) Spyrka, of Semmes, Alabama; and sister-in-law, Dot Dunaway, of Wilmer, Alabama.