Retired Army General Wayne Downing's life and service to his country are remembered today during his funeral service at Saint Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria. Downing succumbed to his battle with bacterial meningitis and multiple myeloma Wednesday at the age of 67.

News 25's Syreeta Baker has more from the service and why so many talk more about his heart than his military career.

Family, friends, city officials and members of the NBC family solemnly walk into the church to say their farewells and remember the life of Four Star Army General Wayne Downing.

"Seeing all the support and people who knew him, who served with him, who worked with him who were very close to him. I feel sorry for them its been quite a loss and it means a lot to me to see how much honor he's receiving," Downing's Cousin Amy Rath says.

The four-star general has received countless honors for his service in the military. Those who spoke at the funeral said more about the goodness of his character than anything else.

"For all his legendary bravery and intelligence and grit he also was a very kind and generous and a very helpful man," NBC Reporter Lisa Myers says.

Downing spent much of his later years as a military advisor for NBC News. Members of the NBC family say he has more depth than anyone would have ever known.

"I think the point that was made that struck me the most is here's the guy who led the most lethal fighting force in the world but had such deep humanity that was spoken by his friend the founder of AOL and fellow member of the West Point class of '62 Kimsey," NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams said.

For those who know Downing or just know of what Downing has done say humanity along with his military smarts is what makes him a legend.

"He's the guy that would get down in the trenches. He could be a tactical thinker or a strategic thinker and an operation thinker. He had all those qualities," Colonel Robbie Robertson from Peoria's 182nd Airlift Wing said.

Shots fired symbolize Downing's service coming to an end. As his coffin was placed inside the limousine, guests from the funeral, along with area residents, watched closely as the MC-130 flew overhead.

General Downing's Body will be laid to rest at the West Point Cemetery in New York on September 27th.