William Maywalt, retired fire chief for the Auburn Fire Department, was born with firefighting skill in his blood.

Maywalt began and ended his 45-year firefighting career in Auburn.

Maywalt, 90, died Tuesday, following a stroke, his brother, Kenneth Maywalt said.

“Bill came from a firefighting family. Our father was a firefighter,” Kenneth said.

Maywalt wanted to continue the family tradition after helping raise his brothers and sister after his father passed away, Kenneth said.

“Our dad died when we were all very young; Bill was very supportive to us growing up,” Kenneth said.

Born in 1916, Maywalt graduated from St. Alphonsus School and Auburn High School. He received an associate's degree from Cayuga Community College and a bachelor's degree from Albany State College.

Maywalt, a World War II veteran, attended basic training at Sampson Naval Station on Seneca Lake. He was stationed in Virginia, assigned to the base's fire station.

He later involved himself in many Auburn community organizations including Boy Scouts, The Muscular Dystrophy Association and United Way.

“Bill loved volunteering for the Boy Scouts,” Kenneth said. Maywalt received the then highest honor in Boy Scouts, The Silver Beaver.

Yet, his main love, firefighting, began in the Auburn Fire Department in 1941 and continued for 45 years. Maywalt moved his way up the rank of command from firefighter to his appointment of fire chief in 1965.

Gary Winslow, fire safety inspector for the Auburn Fire Department, started working at the fire department when Maywalt served as chief. He was also elected to the state Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors.

“Although he spent a lot of time in his office, as chiefs did then, he was the greatest chief to work under,” Winslow said.

Maywalt retired from the fire department in 1986.

Maywalt is survived by his wife, Jean Weeks Mill and his five children.

Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net