The low rumble of more than a dozen motorcycles and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles escorted the body of a fallen firefighter through Morganton on the afternoon of May 7.

Longtime Oak Hill firefighter and law enforcement officer Rex “Sput” Powell was laid to rest at El Bethel Baptist Church, escorted by a procession of law enforcement officers, fire engines, family and friends, including his motorcycle club, Blue Knights MC XXIII.

Powell died in a car wreck on May 1. He was 67.

Friends said Powell was always willing to help anyone.

“There was absolutely nothing that he wouldn’t do to help other people any time of the day or night, any problem they had,” said William Brown, a retired assistant fire chief for Oak Hill. “You could call on him and Sput would always be there.”

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