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LODDs: N.C. fire lieutenant, FF-EMT die from COVID-19

Oak City Fire Department FF-EMT William Stalls died Aug. 15, and Lt. Willie Bunch died Aug. 16; both men contracted the virus while on duty

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Photo/Oak City Fire/EMS

Duty Death: William Stalls, Willie Bunch - [Oak City]

End of Service: 15/08/2021

By Rachel Engel

OAK CITY, N.C. — Two members of the Oak City Fire Department died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Oak City Mayor William Stalls, a 40-year veteran of the OCFD, died on Sunday, Aug. 15, after battling the virus. Stalls had served as mayor of the city for 10 years.

Lt. Willie Bunch died on Monday, Aug. 16, after more than three weeks battling the virus. On a Facebook post by the department asking for prayers, commenters called Bunch a “gentle giant.”