Current Clanton Fire Department members honored Joseph Howard Driver, a volunteer firefighter for 50 years, prior to his Wednesday funeral.

Driver, who was 81, died Sunday and was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon at Martin Memorial Cemetery.

Driver joined Clanton’s fire department in the 1940s and served the city through the early 1990s.

Fire trucks rode in Driver’s funeral procession, and a large U.S. flag hung over the processional route from Clanton’s ladder truck.

Driver’s nephew, David Driver, is Clanton’s fire chief. He said the gestures were meant to honor his uncle’s lifetime of service with the department.

“Just given the time he served with the city, we felt it was very appropriate to do something,” David Driver said.

Howard Driver’s son, Dewayne Driver, continues to serve with the fire department today and also works as a Clanton police officer.

Howard Driver is also survived by his wife, Thomasine; daughter, Machelle McCranie; and brothers, Billy Joe Driver and Don Driver.