Thousands expected at public memorial for fallen firefighter Capt. "Iron Bill" Dowling

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Memorial plans are underway for fallen firefighter Captain William Dowling.

The memorial for Houston Fire Department Capt. Dowling will be held at Houston Baptist University Wednesday.

Capt. Dowling's widow, Jacki Dowling was a volleyball player, and 1999 graduate of HBU.

ORIGINAL STORY: Captain Dowling, who was injured in deadly 2013 motel fire, has died

HBU said 400 firefighters are expected to attend the service in Dunham Theater, with a total capacity, including overflow seating, at a little more than 1,000 people.

Thousands are expected to watch on-air and online to honor the man known as "Iron Bill."

Capt. Dowling was welcomed home to Houston at Hobby airport over the weekend.

"We have been very fortunate to have the other fire departments; so far the count is that we have 25 other fire departments that we are going to send in, that have said that they are going to send men down here, men and women, to man our fire stations," said Houston Firefirghters Association president Marty Lancton.

Firefighters from the Greater Houston area, outside HFD, are also offering to operate fire stations -- especially for Stations 51 and 68.

Each lost two firefighters in the 2013 Southwest Inn fire, and now Station 68 has also lost Captain Dowling.

ABC13 will carry the entire ceremony live on the ABC13 news app.