SPRINGVILLE -- Dozens of emergency vehicles from around northern Utah were on hand Monday to escort Springville fire chief Phil Whitney to his final resting place.

Firefighters and police officers made up nearly half of the audience at Whitney's funeral Monday morning to bid him farewell. His flag-draped casket was carried through lines of saluting emergency crews before being placed on a historic fire engine for the journey to the cemetery, followed by fire engines and police vehicles flashing their lights.

Friends and colleagues remembered Whitney as a man who was endlessly in service to others.

Dave Cope, who served with Whitney, said the fire chief was a great leader who the firefighters and ambulance crews loved and followed.

"He's touched a lot of hearts and a lot of lives," Cope said.

Whitney was devoted to his job and to his crews, Cope said. He made a promise to himself when he became chief that he would never have to stand on a porch and tell a woman she was a widow, he said. Whitney took care of his crew, and they were the top concern at the fire scene.

"He looked out for his men, and he loved them," Cope said.

Cope said the fire chief worked every day to be a better leader. He was tough and made sure things were done right, but made sure to show love when reprimanding someone. Cope said Whitney was known to ask, "Are we still friends?" after teaching a firefighter how to fix a mistake.

Whitney's longtime friend, Bill Miller, said Whitney dedicated his life to serving others. Miller said family and friends should celebrate Whitney's life by committing themselves to serve more. In asking others their memories of Whitney, Miller said one person asked Whitney when he would retire from the fire department. Whitney replied that he would retire when it wasn't fun anymore.

"Phil loved his job," Miller said. "He loved that fire department. And from what I see here, the fire department loved him."