| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 2 |
Alma Mater: Tenn-Chattanooga
Date Born: July 15, 1908
Date Died: December 2, 2005
Overall Record: 38-70 [6 Seasons]
Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1/14/1935 | Tenn-Chattanooga at Kentucky | W | 66 - 19 | - |
1/20/1934 | Tenn-Chattanooga at Kentucky | W | 47 - 20 | - |
Obituary - The Chattanoogan (December 2, 2005)
Keyser, Willard McCall: Longtime Athletic Figure in Chattanooga Retired From Navy and Tennessee Paper Mills
Willard McCall Keyser, known to everyone as "Pop," died on December 2, 2005 at his home.
He was the son of Benjamin Franklin Keyser and Mae Wilder Keyser Couch.
Pop was born in Decatur, Ala., on July 15, 1908. He attended Chattanooga public schools and graduated in 1928 from The Baylor School, where he won letters for four years in football, basketball, and baseball. He served as captain of all three teams during his senior year.
He was the commanding cadet officer in the military program and winner of the O.B. Andrews Trophy for best all around student.
From Baylor he went to the University of Chattanooga, where he obtained a B.S. in Mathematics and Chemistry in 1932. He won varsity letters in basketball and football each year and was selected to the All Dixie Football team in 1930 and 1931.
After graduation, he joined the staff of the University of Chattanooga where he was assistant football coach under legendary coach Scrappy Moore, and was the head basketball coach. Later in life, he was inducted into both the Baylor School and UTC Athletic Halls of Fame.
He served in the U.S. Navy throughout World War II, beginning in 1941 as an instructor at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. He went to sea in 1944 as navigator and Executive Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Roi.
After leaving the Navy in 1946 as a Lieutenant Commander, he joined the athletic staff of Vanderbilt University from 1947 to 1948.
Pop returned to Chattanooga in 1948 to work at Tennessee Paper Mills, retiring in 1973 as vice-president, board member and general manager.
Pop was active at Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and as church treasurer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mary Nena Bales Keyser, and two brothers, Claude C. Reed and Warren Ben Keyser.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Mabry Keyser; two nephews, Warren Ben Keyser, Jr., of Cleveland, TN, and Willard McCall Keyser II, and his sons, Mathew Eric Keyser and Michael Warren Keyser, all of Richmond, TX; two nieces, Betty Carol League and Claudia Layne, both of Huntsville, AL; and several great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Wann Funeral Home on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-3 p.m.
There will be a graveside service immediately after the Sunday visitation. Following the service, there will be a reception at the parish hall of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church.
The family asks that instead of flowers, memorial donations be made to Baylor School, 171 Baylor School Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37405; Thankful Memorial Church, P.O. Box 2274, Chattanooga, TN 37409; Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or a charity of your choice.