George Willoughby

October 25, 1925 - February 28, 2014

Mr. George Willoughby, age 88, of Columbia passed away at his residence on Friday, February 28, 2014. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2nd from 2-4 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 2 PM. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. George was born on October 25, 1925 and was the son of the late Ora Lee and Nellie Mae Branham Willoughby. He married his wife Shirley on September 16, 1948 and enjoyed 65 years together. George had a wonderful career in the military; he joined the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division in 1941 and served as a paratrooper in WWII and the Korean War in which he was a POW of WWII. He retired after 27.5 years with the US Army as a Command Sergeant Major. During his time in the service he was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with 6 Loop Clasp, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with bronze arrowhead and 4 bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service with two bronze service stars, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Netherlands orange Lanyard, master Parachutist Badge and two awards of the Combat Infantry Badge. George is survived by his wife: Shirley Ann Temple Willoughby; son: Kenneth (Evelyn) Willoughby of Columbia; daughter: Linda Kay (Bobby) Brandon of Lewisburg; five brothers; two sisters: one grandson: Jeff Willoughby and one great-grandchild: Skylar Brandon Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson: Matthew Brandon.