Obituary of William Jackson

WILLIAM P. "BILL" JACKSON, age 82, died Sunday morning, October 12, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, in Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tennessee. He was born in Franklinton, North Carolina on May 27, 1926, the youngest child of Thurston Jasper and Jewell Hight Jackson. He attended North Carolina State University and was a 1949 graduate of Wake Forest College, remaining a lifelong fan of the Demon Deacons. Bill was a soldier in the 69th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II, and saw active combat duty in the European Theater of Operations while serving in Belgium, France and Germany. He was awarded numerous medals and ribbons, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge and Bronze Star Medal. After a brief stint in the FBI, he worked in Danville, Pulaski, and Altavista, Virginia and, Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Marion, Virginia in 1961, where he was employed by Brunswick Corporation as an Industrial Engineer. He later worked at Emerson Electric Company in Wytheville, Virginia and as an Industrial Consultant. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Marion, Virginia, the L.W. Kelly Sunday School Class, and was a 46 year member of the Church's Chancel Choir, where he inspired many with his baritone solos. He also performed with the Marion Choral Society and the Bristol Concert Choir. Bill was a member of the Marion Kiwanas Club, Marion VFW, Holston Hills Country Club, Marion Investment Club, and was a former longtime member of the Marion Lions Club. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed golf, tennis, gardening, and bird watching, especially Bluebirds. An accomplished trumpeter, he briefly performed with bands during the Big Band era. He was a direct descendent of Captain John Woodlief, who led the first Thanksgiving celebration among British colonists at Berkeley Plantation, Virginia in 1619. In addition to his parents, he was preceeded in death by a sister, Edith H. Jackson and a brother, T. Jasper Jackson, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Frances Ratcliffe Jackson; two sons, W. Patrick Jackson Jr., and wife Lettie, of Bristol, Tennessee; Jeffrey S. Jackson of Marion, Virginia and one very special grandson, Thomas P. Jackson. Also surviving are many cousins, nieces, nephews, and special longtime friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jonathan Jonas officiating. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski, Virginia. Following the graveside services, the family invites friends to the home of his sister-in-law, Betty Lou Ratcliffe Kirkner, 4568 Miller Lane, Pulaski, Virginia. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion, Virginia. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Music Ministry, First United Methodist Church, 115 S. Church Street, Marion, Virginia 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaver-brown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Jackson Family.