MAXEYS, Ga. (AP) A former mayor of a Georgia town has died while fighting a fire that destroyed his wife's business in a historic building. Maxeys Mayor Warren Gilson tells The Athens Banner-Herald that William “Bill” Winkle died Saturday. He lived with his wife, Rachel Winkle, in the rear of Maxeys Country Store, said Gilson. The store sold antiques and collectibles. When the fire started sometime after 9 a.m. Saturday, Bill Winkle tried to.
William “Bill” Winkle apparently died of a heart attack, Maxeys Mayor Warren Gilson said Tuesday.
Rachel Winkle, owner of the Maxeys Country Store which sold antiques and collectibles, and her husband lived in an apartment at the rear of the store, according to Gilson.
When the fire started sometime after 9 a.m. Saturday, Bill Winkle tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, Gilson said. Unable to bring the fire under control, Winkle went to the Maxeys Volunteer Fire Department next to the store.
“He tried to get another fire extinguisher and he apparently had a heart attack and passed,” Gilson said.