Dr. William "Bill" Sisson

William "Bill" Rourke Sisson, M.D. passed away peacefully on February 14, 2012, in Gunnison, CO, with his family at his side.  Bill was born in La Junta, CO on November 20, 1919 to Thomas William Sisson and Justine (Rourke) Sisson. Following graduation from La Junta High School, Bill traveled to Boulder where he attended the University of Colorado. During these years, medicine became an interest and later a career. After graduating from the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver.  Like so many others of that time, Dr. Sisson joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre. On May 15, 1948, Bill and Mamie Chase were married in La Junta, CO. The two left for New Britain, CT where Bill did his residency at New Britain General Hospital. In 1950, Bill and Mamie returned to La Junta where Bill worked as a family physician and helped raise their seven children.Always interested in travel, adventure and giving of one’s self, Bill enjoyed taking his family on extended vacations  They took up the sport of skiing, and there were several summers in which the entire family volunteered at  St. Jude's Hospital on the island of St. Lucia, in the Caribbean. Perhaps it was this sense of adventure that caused him to enlist in the Air Force at the age of 55. Dr. Sisson and his family moved to Frankfurt, Germany for a four-year tour of duty as a military physician. At the end of his tour, he went to work for the Civil Service Department as a physician at Little Rock Air Force Base and later worked at Randolf Air Force Base in San Antonio where he retired.Dr. Sisson was always active in the community. This attitude began as a boy in La Junta when he joined the Boy Scouts, became a Koshare Indian, and at the time became the youngest Eagle Scout in La Junta.  Additionally, he served as President of the CU Alumni Association, was a member and past president of the La Junta Rotary Club, and an active member of the Optimist Club in Albuquerque. Bill was also a devoted member to his local Catholic Parish.Dr. Sisson was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas William Sisson and Justine (Rourke) Sisson; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas M. and Margaret (Driscoll) Sisson, brother-in-law, Ralph Mahoney.He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mamie Sisson of Gunnison, CO.  Children: Thomas W. (Patricia Osbaldiston) Sisson II of Dallas, TX; Teresa (Jos) Rijks of Crested Butte, CO; Diana (Sam) Peacock of Helendale, CA; Donna (Richard) Rozman of Crested Butte, CO; Linda Trifone of Jackson, MS; Laura (Glenn) Decker of Wethersfield, CT; and Robert (Stephanie) Sisson of Albuquerque, NMGrandchildren: Thomas W. III and Sophie Sisson; Peter, Mamie, Annie and Diana Rijks; Jenny (Eric) Sova, Matthew Peacock, Mark (Tracee) Peacock, Jane (Rob) Pizem, Clay Peacock; William and Thomas Rozman; Alexandra (Matt) Lunde, Nathan and Mark Trifone; Kelly Decker; Ryan and Ashley Sisson; and six great grandchildren.He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Robin Mahoney of Hopkinsville, KY and brother-in-law, Don Chase of Dallas, TX, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Koshare Indian Museum or the Gunnison Valley Health Hospice in Gunnison, CO directly or in care of Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home.Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at Gunnison Valley Health, Senior Care Center, Gunnison, CO at 11:00 am. Funeral Services in La Junta, CO will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 17th, 2012 at Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home Chapel with Rite of Committal at Calvary Cemetery with military honors by theRocky Ford Rifle Team, American Legion Post #8 .  Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m.