FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is mourning the loss of its very first Chief Fire Marshal, Willis H. “Bill” Burton, Jr.

According to the fire department, Burton passed away on Jan. 9, of natural causes, surrounded by family. He was 91.

In a statement, they say Burton started his career as a volunteer at the Herndon Volunteer Fire Department and on July 1, 1953, he was hired as the first Chief Fire Marshal for Fairfax County.

He left the department in 1971.

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They say some of his major accomplishments included:

• The purchasing of the first county-owned fire apparatus, a 1963 Maxim ladder truck
• Construction of the Fire Training Center (now the Academy)
• Graduating the first formal recruit class (1967)
• Formulating a bond referendum to build seven fire stations
• Paid off the loan on Station 25 and added two classrooms to the academy.

"Thank you, Chief Burton, for your visionary leadership during a time of monumental growth and change in the department and Fairfax County," the fire department said.