William “Bill” H. Jackson, 91, was born in New York City, N.Y., on Dec. 13, 1923, and died in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Dec. 29, 2014.
He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Pete (Jan) Jackson of Kalamazoo, Mich., Bill (Jane) Jackson of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Tom (Bonnie) Jackson of Rochester, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; brother Rob Jackson of LaJolla, Calif.; and sister Desdy Baggott of LaCanada, Calif.
He was known to friends and family as “Boo,” a nickname given him as a young man by a friend’s toddler son.
His family moved to LaJolla, Calif., when he was two-years-old, and he grew up loving the beach and ocean, and acquiring a life-long love of sailing during summers at nearby Lake Arrowhead. He attended high school at the Webb School, then enrolled at Pomona College, studying engineering and playing football. However, by that winter (1942-43) he was drafted into the Army.
He served in the 13th Armored Division (the “Black Cats”) which was attached to General George Patton’s army. He fought in Germany and Austria (including Hitler’s home town).
During the war he had been corresponding with his sister’s college roommate, Muffy. Soon after the war they met, fell in love, and married in 1947. They spent 64 wonderful years together, living first in Kalamazoo, Mich., where Jackson worked for Humphrey Products. They raised three sons, were active members of the community, and acquired the first of a long succession of dogs.
Summers were spent enjoying the Kalamazoo Country Club and later a cottage at Lake Michigan.
The Jackson’s traveled worldwide, often with friends, and cruised the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean in their sailboat. They moved to Vero Beach as Jackson neared retirement, then began spending summers in the mountains of North Carolina, eventually moving there year-round.
They made good friends wherever they lived. He was known as a master of commonsense, and a gifted handyman who could build, fix, or install anything. Muffy passed away in 2011, and last summer Jackson moved to Kalamazoo to live with his youngest son, Pete, and Pete’s spouse, Jan.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many dear friends. He knew he’d had a long, good life, and was content. He’ll always be remembered for his wit, his unassuming kindness, and his love of family. He was one of the really good guys!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Alliance for the Great Lakes (greatlakes.org), mailing address: 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601.