Boney chosen as Biloxi's Outstanding Citizen

meperez@sunherald.com

Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney was honored Wednesday by the Biloxi Lions Club as Biloxi's Outstanding Citizen for 2015.

Boney has served in the Biloxi Fire Department for more than 30 years and never missed a day of work. He joined the department in 1984 and worked his way up through the ranks, becoming one of the department's youngest battalion chiefs in 1993. He was named chief by Mayor A.J. Holloway in 2013.

Boney was recognized for organizing and leading relief efforts to storm-stricken communities in New York, Oklahoma and central Mississippi. He also has inspired Biloxi firefighters to donate time, and local businesses and residents to donate money, toward the relief trips.

He was a founder of West End Hose Co. No. 3, the city's all-volunteer fire museum that has grown from a single room to a building full of fire artifacts, photos and other historic documents, attracting retired firefighters and hundreds of visitors each year. He also worked for the return of the annual Fireman's Day Parade and organized drives to help needy residents.

Boney also was recognized for his religious and charitable efforts at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church in Biloxi.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Boney chosen as Biloxi's Outstanding Citizen ."