Firefighter of the Year Bill Cockshutte (center) Chief Bill Floyd (left) and Captain Donald Hamilton (right).
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“Chief Floyd’s Christmas Tree,” artistically designed by Chief Floyd himself using 100 feet of new fire hose.
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Floyd Award Carolyn Floyd 2024 recipient (left) Chief Bill Floyd (center 2025 recipient) and Captain Donald Hamilton (right)
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CLIO — In December the Clio Fire Department held its annual Christmas party at the department’s Eastside Station with a steak dinner catered by Cathy’s Too. Two exceptional firefighters were recognized with awards presented to them during the celebrations by their fellow firefighters.
Of the two awards presented, Bill Cockshutte was nominated as Clio’s Firefighter of the Year and The Floyd Award went to Chief Bill Floyd.
The Floyd award was created last year in loving memory of Clio Fire Chief Donald Floyd and in honor of his widow Carolyn Floyd, and was presented to their son and now Chief, Bill Floyd.
“Clio Rural Fire is a great group, and all of our members are very deserving of commendation. Thank you to each and every one of you that has contributed in any way to this department. There are no unimportant roles or actions. It takes every single one of us to make this work, so thank you and congratulations on another good and safe year,” said Captain Donald Hamilton.
He went on to say the department, which is in its fiftieth year serving Clio and the broader Marlboro County community, likes to highlight the hard work of one firefighter annually, recognizing one member as its Firefighter of the Year.
Hamilton explains, “This award recognizes commitment to the calling that is firefighting. It recognizes the member that makes the calls, helps whenever they can, the member that is there to help when it is not necessarily fun or exciting, but work is still needing to be done. A fire department is nothing without members showing up.”
Speaking of Clio’s very own Bill Cockshutte, Hamilton said this Firefighter of the Year award recipient always shows up.
“He [Cockshutte] is a member that people will recognize the few times he doesn’t, because he has become such a fixture. He is dependable and always, always finds work on scene. Bill hustles and it shows in the way he makes a difference on every call. He has become a staple of the Clio Rural Fire and is a valuable member of this fire department,” said Hamilton, adding, “Thank you for all your effort, your attendance, and your great attitude. Congratulations to our 2025 Firefighter of the Year for Clio Rural, Mr. Bill Cockshutte!”
The Clio Fire Department began its tradition of awarding the Floyd Award last year. Hamilton says the award might normally be called the Chief’s Award, but in Clio, the Floyd Award encompasses so much more. Named in honor of Donald and Carolyn Floyd, The Floyd Award recognizes a firefighter’s honesty, hard work, dedication, integrity, leadership, mentorship, bravery, grit, giving back, service, friendship, and honesty.
“Basically, [this award] is Donald and Carolyn Floyd. They demonstrated to us “how” to be a volunteer firefighter. It is not glamourous, it doesn’t pay the bills, it is not self-serving, but rather service above self. It helps make right the world. It is a promise to our community that someone is coming, it is help when help is needed, it is the idea that we can somehow control a little of the chaos in our world. Whatever it is, Donald and Carolyn Floyd understood it, and lived it, and demonstrated it wonderfully,” says Hamilton.
The Floyd award recognizes not just a firefighter but a true difference maker, a servant — a model volunteer firefighter. Highlighting dedication, the special award honors one person who throughout the year attends meetings and training seminars, participates in public events, works to upkeep the stations and apparatuses, and responses to calls without hesitation just like Hamilton says the Floyds have done from day one.
“This year’s recipient [Bill Floyd] is most deserving. He has been a constant in Clio Rural Fire Department’s history and now leads our department. Bill resisted that white helmet and taking “1101” as a call sign but has embraced it and is making us proud. I am certain he is making the award’s namesakes, Mrs. Carolyn and Chief Floyd very proud. He is essential to our department and serves it with his whole heart,” said Hamilton, adding, “We also want to thank the “County Guys” as we call them. They may not all be on Clio’s roster officially, but we claim them and are very thankful to see them on scene. Thanks guys, we appreciate all you do!”