Longtime fireman remembered

COLFAX - Longtime firefighter and commissioner Don Hall was remembered Monday, Nov. 23, by his colleagues across Whitman County.

He passed away Nov. 18 at age 91.

A private memorial service took place at St. Patrick Catholic Church; the service was limited to 30 people due to Gov. Jay Inslee's recent coronavirus quarantine mandates.

But that didn't stop Hall's colleagues and others from remembering him. A flag was lowered from a firetruck ladder over South Main Street, where Rosalia/Colfax firefighter John Lautenslager and Colfax Assistant Fire Chief Michael Chapman saluted as the hearse carrying Hall passed by.

Apparatus and firefighters from Fire District No. 11's stations - Albion, Colfax, Diamond and Steptoe - as well as other first responders and the Washington State Patrol participated in a processional in honor of Hall from St. Patrick Catholic Church to Bethell Cemetery in Steptoe.

Hall was a firefighter from 1957-96 and a Fire District No. 11 commissioner for 23 years following. His son Roger Hall is a District No. 11 commissioner and his son Greg Hall is the Steptoe fire chief.

For more on the life of Hall, see his obituary.