Funeral Services for William Dale Finkbeiner will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Rev. Danny Gleason will officiate the service. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM. Following the service, burial will be at Lebanon Cemetery near Homer, LA in Claiborne Parish under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.Dale was born on November 8, 1949 in Homer, LA and passed away on October 11, 2017 in Rocky Branch, LA.Dale was dearly loved by all who knew him.He served his country in the United States Army as a Hawk Missile Fire Control Operator from 1971 – 1974. He returned home and completed his degree in Business Administration from Northeast Louisiana University with a concentration in management in 1977. In 1997 he received his Associate Degree in Applied Science with a focus in Fire Science.Through his work as a fireman and a paramedic, he gave himself to his community. He worked at the Monroe Fire Department for 32 years, from 1979 until his retirement in 2011 as Deputy Chief.As a paramedic on the Franklin Parish Ambulance Service he helped save hundreds of lives, was certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and was a HAZ MAT Technician.The woods, lakes and bayous called him, lured him, and built him. Whether leaning on a tree, crouching in the button willows, or floating on the lake, he spent his free time in nature.His annual garden was more than a connection to this earth, to sustenance, and to seasons, his garden connected him to his community and those he loved. He shared his bounty with all he knew and took great joy in it.He was a loving and devoted son. He adored his brothers, Mike and Karl, and sister, Linda. He served beside Mike in the fire department, vacationed with Karl any chance he got, and cracked jokes with Linda every time they were together.He was a true inspiration to his sons, Kane and Lee, instilling in them a love for the outdoors and a deep sense of caring for others which propelled them into Forestry and Medical careers. Dale took great pride in his two sons and three grandchildren.He loved deeper than most can fathom and poured his heart into his friendships. He opened his home to friends to stay as long as they needed, and fed all those who visited, even if it was a five-year-old can of spam. He moved friends when they were unable to move themselves, and kept people company when they had nowhere else to turn. He was the type of man who could make you smile in the darkest of times, and had a sense of humor that would send you for a loop and leave you smiling. He kept us laughing to the very end.Fall's cool breeze kissed him into eternal life on Wednesday, 10/11/2017 at 10:30am surrounded by family at the home of his beloved, Lera Roark. Dale is reunited with his father, Charles William Finkbeiner.His spirit is carried on by his mother Jeane Finkbeiner, his brothers, Charles Mickel Finkbeiner and Karl Wayne Finkbeiner and sister, Linda Jeane Hicks, his eldest son, William Kane Finkbeiner and his daughter-in-law, Jessica Ann Finkbeiner, and granddaughters, Kaitlyn Grace Finkbeiner and Hailey Ann Finkbeiner, his youngest son, Brandon Lee Finkbeiner and daughter-in-law, Dominique Grace Finkbeiner, and his grandson, Leighton Bautiste Finkbeiner.In honor of Dale and the way he lived his life, we ask that you open your heart to someone in need and share some love and compassion. Dale will be deeply missed.