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10/30/08 On 29 October 2008, Georgia Highway 314 within
Fayette County, Georgia was named in honor of General (Retired) William J.
Livsey, a 1952 graduate from North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU).
The dedication ceremony was held at the Fayetteville First United Methodist
Church in Fayetteville.
Major General Jack C. Wheeler (Class of 1961) served as master of ceremonies;
Ms. Kimberly Larson (Class of 1989), representing the Georgia Department of
Transportation, unveiled the highway sign; Mr. Jim Minter (former editor of the
Atlanta Journal Constitution and a cadet at NGCSU in the late 1940s) conveyed
General Livsey’s early days as a cadet in A Company, and commented that General
Livsey had fought in three wars: “Korea, Vietnam, and NGC football!”
State Senator Ronnie Chance read the State Resolution approving the honor.
Representative Matt Ramsey, Mr. Kenny Melear and Mr. Buster Black were also
credited by General Livsey as being instrumental in this honor.
The NGCSU Color Guard and Patriot Choir infused patriotism in the assemblage,
and received grand applause from the approximate 200 guests and dignitaries
attending the ceremony.
Leaders from NGCSU, including the Commandant of Cadets (Colonel Tom Palmer) and
Vice President of Institutional Advancement (Mr. Bruce Howerton) represented
General Livsey’s alma mater.
General Livsey received a number of letters of congratulations at the event.
Well wishes came from Senators Chambliss and Isakson; Congressman Lynn
Westmoreland (3d District); LTG (Retired) Pat Patrick (NGCSU Class of 1957);
General (Retired) Dennis Reimer (former Chief of Staff of the US Army); General
(Retired) H. Norman Schwarzkopf; and General (Retired) Colin L. Powell.
Of the 38 general and flag officers produced by NGCSU over its 135 year history,
General Livsey is the only four star general.
Livsey is a native of Clarkston, Georgia. He is a 1952 graduate of North Georgia
College & State University. Years later he served as a trustee for the
university foundation. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of
Infantry in the Regular Army. He has a Masters degree in Psychology from
Vanderbilt University. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer
Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
where he graduated first in his class, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the
Army War College.
In May, 1984, and until his retirement on June 30, 1987, Livsey served as
Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command/Commander-in-Chief Combined Forces
Command/ Commander, United States Forces, Korea/Commanding General Eighth United
States Army. Upon retirement, General Livsey and his wife Bena Sue became
permanent residents of Fayetteville.
Photos and article courtesy Jack Wheeler |
