William (Bill) Jackson

William (Bill) Albert Jackson was born on June 23, 1933, in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Albert Shipp Jackson and Verna Black Jackson. Bill had his heavenly birthday on August 31, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill had a strong Christian faith and shared his love for Jesus by exuding his sweet and loving countenance to whomever he met. Bill and Susan’s marriage was blessed as they served on many missions at Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) in Plano, Texas. Bill helped initiate the Stephen Ministry program, the Lay Chaplain program, and helped form the Vision of Light Team (VOLT) where he served with his wife, Susan, in Africa, Guatemala and stateside. Bill and Susan also served on the committee to build the Columbarium at CUMC.

Bill was a Board Member for Mission Possible Kids. He helped organize the CUMC donation drive for Christmas in July, driving a U-Haul to many church locations between DFW and Florida collecting Mission Possible Kids donation items to be shipped to the Guatemala mission. He also helped with VOLT donations flown to the mission field to CUMC sister church in Cameroon, Africa. He treasured his many friendships in the Family Living Class and the Sanctuary Choir for over 28 years.

Bill graduated from Texas Tech University in 1960 where he received his BA majoring at the top of his class in accounting. He began his career with public and private accounting firms and had his own private practice for over 35 years.

He enjoyed traveling throughout the world with his beloved wife. He was a prolific reader: especially historical novels. He particularly loved flying and learned to fly solo. In high school he earned his own monies to pay for his flying lessons. He had fond memories of taking his children and niece to historical sites and telling stories to his two grandsons.

Since 1967 when his daughter, Brenda, was 8 years old, she and her dad lovingly bonded going to many Dallas Cowboy games and challenging each other with trivia. Brenda has kept all the team tickets and autographs and cherishes the love formed between father and daughter.

During the Korean War, Bill served in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. Being an outstanding rifleman, he was chosen to guard President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was honorably discharged as a Spc. 3rd Class.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Susan; children Brenda James and her husband Mike, James Jackson and his wife Phyllis, Sena Cole and her husband Marty, Colton Lenzinger and his wife Julie;  grandsons Carson and Luke Lenzinger; sisters Bobbi Hale, Louise Kodituwakku and her husband Kodi; nephew Gary Hale, cousin Dr. Lynn Speedie, as well as, his grandchildren Jon James, Greg James, Valerie Enlow and Great Grandchildren Keagon James, Sean James, and Ethan James and many additional family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Verna Black Jackson, his sister, LaVerne Allen, brother James Ross Jackson, and brothers-in-law, David Zeidman and Dan Zeidman.

Bill was honored to be God-Dad to Brett and Neri Carter and their daughter Abby.  He was also a father figure to his special great-niece, Alyssa Cedillo.

On his 90th birthday, Bill was delighted to have the opportunity to hold and love his little three-month-old great-great nephew Hudson William Cedillo, who is Bill’s namesake.

Bill was blessed in many ways, living to 90 years and celebrating 9 birthday parties, one for each decade of his blessed life. He maintained his great memory until the end, cherishing his continued friendships with his Walk to Emmaus brothers in Florida and all his friends at CUMC. He enjoyed the kind friendships of his honorary pallbearers; Skip Bilhartz, Eldon Frost, Gary Hale, Paul Hurd, Russ LeClaire, Les Percy, Wendell Pieper, Joe Riley, John Schuenemann, Dick Weber, and posthumously, Dale Brooks.

The family wishes to give our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful, compassionate service of all the caregivers at Faith Presbyterian Hospice. Each person lovingly and unselfishly gave themselves in love to our dear Bill.

If desired, you may choose to donate in Bill’s memory to any of the following charities:

VISION OF LIGHT TEAM (VOLT)

JOURNEY OF HOPE

Christ United Methodist Church, 1201 Coit Road, Plano, Texas 75073

AGAPE Resource Assistance Center, Inc. who serve homeless women and children, P.O. Box 861664, Plano, Texas 75086-1664

MISSION POSSIBLE KIDS,2220 Coit Road, #480-137, Plano, Texas 75075

FAITH PRESBYTERIAN HOSPICE

T. Boone Pickens Center, 12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251