Billy Dale Sissom, Sr.

Billy Dale Sissom Sr. of Port Deposit died Sept. 24 at his home. He was 85. Born in Sterrett, Texas, he was the son of the late Alton Howard and Willie Jackson Sissom and was the husband of Ruth Hiob Sissom for 62 years. In sixth grade, Mr. Sissom moved to Alvarado, Texas, where he played high school football and later earned the title valedictorian of his graduating class. He then received a scholarship to Texas A&M, was ROTC at college and was called to active military duty in June 1943. He was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he served 32 years in positions including technical director for the Test and Evaluation Command and associate director of Material Test Directorate. Mr. Sissom married his wife Ruth Hiob of Aberdeen, on June 16, 1945. In 1977, he retired from federal service as a major in the Army Reserves. After his retirement, Mr. Sissom and his wife became snowbirds, living in Florida and returning to Aberdeen for the summer months. He enjoyed traveling which included trips to Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain as well as a nine-month tour of North America following his retirement. Mr. Sissom was a chapter member of the First Baptist Church of Aberdeen and had many hobbies, including gardening, wine making and square dancing, which he did for many years. He also enjoyed art, painting (pen and ink), and was very involved in model train collecting and displays. For many years, he owned a boat and loved to fish. He and his wife moved to Port Deposit in 2006 and lived with their daughter Janis S. Price until his death. In addition to his wife, Mr. Sissom is survived by a son, Billy D. Sissom Jr. and his wife, Carol A. Sissom, of Lake Mary, Fla.; a daughter Janis S. Price, of Port Deposit; three grandchildren, Rebecca M. De Los Santos, of Port Deposit, and Tara J. Sissom and Connor A. Sissom, both of Lake Mary, Fla.; a great-gandson, Samuel D. De Los Santos, of Port Deposit; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Jordan Price, of Port Deposit; and a sister, Doris Faye Rippetoe, of Lipan, Texas. Mr. Sissom was predeceased by a sister, Virginia Nesmith, and a brother, Dr. Alton W. Sissom. Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, 219 E. Bel Air Ave., Aberdeen, Md., 21001, or Harford Hospice, 8003 Corporate Drive, Suite G, Nottingham, MD., 21236. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001