Ken Mayhall, 62, of Big Spring, died on Tuesday, August 9, 2005, in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, August 12, 2005 at the Nalley-Pickle and Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Jim Binnix, pastor of Midway Baptist Church and Rev. Tommy Culwell, pastor of Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Snyder, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.He was born on May 27, 1943, in Inverness, Mississippi and married Mae Awazu on July 27, 1962 in Papaaloa, Hawaii.Ken served in the United States Navy from 1960-1964. He completed basic training in San Diego, California and served at Pearl Harbor on the USS Stark County, USS Conserver and the USS Abnaki. Ken moved to Big Spring in 1964 and worked for the Big Spring Fire Department from 1968-1970. He left to work as a civilian Fire Fighter for the U.S. Navy and Air Force. In 1979 he rejoined BSFD's ranks. During his career he obtained many certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He held four firefighting certifications from Basic to Master Firefighter, two instructors certificates and was certified as a Field Testing Proctor for the Commission. Salty, as he was known to the fire fighters, advanced from Hoseman to Driver in 1982. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983 and retired in the spring of 2000. Ken had been certified as an Emergency Medical Technician EMT -B by the Texas Department of Health and had earned a degree in Fire Science from Midland College. He earned two letters of commendation during his career for his actions while fighting fires at the local refinery. Salty was a regular instructor in the department's training academy and was the primary instructor for Aircraft Fire and Rescue. He served as a Trustee on the Board of the Big Spring Fireman's Relief and Retirement Fund for multiple terms.He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and had been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.Survivors include his wife, Mae Mayhall of Big Spring; one son, Shane Mayhall and wife, Jo of Big Spring; two sisters, Mary Ann Ross and husband, Red of Big Spring and Jannett Pugh of Lake Charles, Louisiana and five grandchildren, Zach, Lindsey, Hannah, Shelby, and Kaeli. He was preceded in death by one son, Scott Mayhall; his father, W. C. Mayhall; his mother, Juanita Mayhall; two brothers and two sisters. The family suggests memorials be made to the Midway Baptist Church, 6200 S. Service Road I20, Big Spring, Texas 79720.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
