WILLIE DOWELL Fairfield high school classmates and friends of "Big" Willie Dowell will hold a benefit dinner, dance, roast and auction this Saturday to aid Dowell's family and help with medical expenses.

Dowell, 29, recently was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

A member of the FHS Class of 1999, he played football for the Eagles. He works for Texas Department of Criminal Justice and operates a car detailing business in Fairfield.

The event is from 8 p.m.-midnight at Fairfield VFW Post 5872.

A barbecue dinner will be served and classmates of Dowell plan to "roast" him during the dinner.

A silent auction to sell baked goods also is on tap and a dance starts after the dinner.

Donation boxes have been set up at several businesses in Fairfield.

Cost to attend the dinner and dance is $12 a person.