Heflin reacts to the loss of their own in pipeline explosion

HEFLIN, AL (WBRC) - People living in Heflin say it's a very close community and Wednesday night they're grieving with Anthony Willingham's family.

"When you go to work, the family thinks you'll be back home, but it doesn't always happen that way," said Maudie Yancy.

Unfortunately, for Willingham, he didn't make it back home to see his family. He was killed Monday in the Shelby County pipeline explosion.

"Sad, very sad," said Yancy.

MORE: Family identifies worker killed in Oct. 31 Colonial Pipeline explosion

The city of Heflin is mourning because Willingham was one of their own. Yancy has lived there a long time and says this is a close-knit community and the Willingham family is not alone.

"Everyone is there for each other. If anyone needs anything, we're there," said Yancy.

This is a sentiment Heflin City Councilor Rhonda Green echoed.

"We've got plenty of outlet of things to do to help them, but we're just there for them, mostly for moral support. What can we do and we want them to tell us if we can help them in any way," said Rhonda Green.

Willingham's daughter, Cassie Shelton, says her father worked for L.E. Bell Construction since he was 19 years old.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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