WTOC Anchor Sonny Dixon set to retire

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Anchor Sonny Dixon is set to retire after 18 years on the anchor desk at Raycom Media's WTOC in Savannah, GA on, May 31, 2015.

Dixon has been a fixture on the Savannah broadcasting landscape for decades. Various issues he has covered have garnered national attention as he has appeared on the CBS Evening News, the CBS Early Show, the Montel Williams Show, CNN, in Newsweek magazine, and in major newspapers. Amongst his many awards and achievements, his Emmy for “Best Anchor” stands out, as it distinguishes him amongst his peers from both large and small television markets. Dixon has also been awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award, Georgia Associated Press Award for Best Documentary and Georgia's best TV Anchor by the Associated Press.

WTOC Vice President and General Manager Scott Dempsey stated, “Sonny dedicated himself through his broadcast career and civic service, to assisting and informing our community and our state. His efforts both on-air, and with people throughout our viewing area will be missed. I know that Sonny, and his wife, Margaret, have many things that they want to do with Sonny's day to day demands lessening. However, we intend to keep his phone number handy for his involvement with future events, parades, etc. We hope he can continue to be a part of the WTOC family for years to come.”

Dixon served five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives where he held key committee positions and chaired committees before retiring from elected office in 1997.

Dixon has received numerous awards and honorary distinctions, such as the Savannah Community Champion Award, the Spirit of America Award, and the History in the Media Award for the State of Georgia. The Exchange Club of Savannah bestowed their highest honor, The Book of Golden Deeds Award, on Dixon for his years of dedication to safe children initiatives.

The Secretary of the Army named Dixon an “Honorary Night Stalker” for longtime support of the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment of the United States Army. Dixon was also named an Honorary Ranger by the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield. Honorary member of The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, American Legion Post 154-Tybee Island and the Sun City Veterans Association for his dedication to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.

Dixon is a native of Savannah, Georgia. An alumnus of Florida College at Tampa and University of Florida at Gainesville. Dixon has been married for 34 years to his wife Margaret.