Col. Willard Sisson treasured this photograph of a group that included him and Four Star General William Westmoreland. Others who are identified include Ed Norman, Command Sergeant Major; then Captain Benny Ray Adkins, and, to the extreme right, Bert Sawyer.
One of Chattanooga’s most patriotic citizens passed away the last day of 2021. Col. Willard Sisson had a long and distinguished military career in addition to being a loan officer of Chattanooga Federal Savings and Loan Association.
Chattanooga Federal president Arnold Chambers said the bank's success was in large part because of Col. Sisson’s leadership. He also served as president of the Chattanooga Exchange Club and was an active member of the First Baptist Church.
I met Col. Sission after joining the Armed Forces Week Committee in 1975. The committee coordinated local events including the long existing downtown parade. Col. Sisson said his favorite was seeing the large flag being carried up Market Street. Parade secretary, the late Dorothy Brammer, said Col. Sission was committed to seeing that our military was honored and he was a driving force behind the annual event.
Col. Sisson served in World War II in Virginia and Italy. He had enrolled at the University of Georgia and completed one year when his country called. After the war, he returned to college and received a 2nd Lieutenant commission after completing college ROTC.
The highlight of Col. Sission’s military career was serving as Commander of the 3397th U.S. Army Reserve Garrison in Chattanooga. The unit had about 400 men. Col. Sisson was commander from 1972-1977.
Dr. Bill Henry was a member of the unit. The local pastor said, “Col. Sisson was well respected and visited the unit many times after completing his tour.”
Retired Brigadier General Carl Levi said the National Guard and Army Reserve worked closely together under Col. Sisson’s leadership.
LTC Ray Adkins was also a member of the garrison and close personal friend of Col. Sisson. Mr. Adkins remembers when four star general William Westmoreland visited the 23rd Street unit in 1973 to promote a joint Army educational venture involving East Ridge High School. Mr. Adkins said the General was in the city several days and under Col. Sisson’s leadership he served as an aide to General Westmoreland. Mr. Adkins has a picture to commemorate the event.
While Col. Sisson was commander of the 3397th the unit was a key player in Mayor Robert Kirk Walker’s “Sparkle Day” beautification program. LTC Adkins remembers hauling tons of trash to the landfill. Col. Sisson even drove one of the trucks. LTC Adkins said Col. Sisson was a strong supporter of the Boy and Girl Scouts programs in Chattanooga. He committed the unit to assisting in the annual March of Dimes event on WRCB TV.
Col. Sisson and I sat side by side during the weekly Armed Forces Week meetings. He was someone I could call anytime for information. Col. Sisson seemed to know just about everyone in Hamilton County. He told me that he loved the Armed Forces Day Parade and desired to see it continue long after he was gone. He would go with Mrs. Brammer and me to the Warner Park field house a few days before the parade to review the floats under construction. The colonel enjoyed talking with the students who were building the floats.
His daughter, Kathy Sisson Jones, said her dad had a deep passion for the United States military and what it stands for. Ms. Jones said a signed picture of General Westmoreland and her dad hangs on the wall at his Flintstone, Ga., home.
Col. Sisson also coordinated media information for the Chattanooga Area Leadership Prayer Breakfast. He was so efficient at arranging interviews with key speakers.
The Chattanooga community will remember Col. Sisson on Jan. 14 at the First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway. He will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga VA national cemetery with full military honors.
Earl Freudenberg
Col. Willard Sisson shakes hands with General William Westmoreland. Also pictured is Major General Leonard Woody.