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Tow truck business owner receives proper escort after passing away

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 11:02 PM CST

BENTON - Given the amount of time Kenneth Abbott spent in his tow truck since founding Abbott's Towing in 1977, it was only fitting that his truck was used to deliver him to his final resting place.

After Abbott died Saturday, his family followed his wishes and planned a goodbye that would pay tribute to his many years in the business.

After a service Wednesday morning, his casket was placed on an Abbott's Towing flatbed and a procession of area tow trucks and police cars escorted the truck from a Benton funeral home to a cemetery in Logan.

"He would have loved it," said West City Police Chief Steve Mumbower, who worked closely with Abbott for almost a decade. "This was his life."

Mumbower said Abbott was a dedicated worker and a good man.

"He was always there for you," Mumbower said. "Kenny would do things for you no one else would. You could call him from Fairview Heights at 3 a.m. and he'd come help you. He was one of a kind. He will be missed."

Former West City Mayor Bill Thomas said Abbott was a hard worker who was more often seen in the truck than out, especially during the business' infancy.

"In the early days he ran the business himself and he was in the truck pretty much all the time," Thomas said. "He was a funny and outgoing guy who would cause you to like him."

Sharon Taylor rode in the procession in the Neibch Towing wrecker.

"This was his profession and it seems right that people who work in the same profession honor him this way," she said. "He was a really nice guy who would do anything for you."

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