Billy Gene Jackson

Billy Gene Jackson was born on December 24th, 1936 to Ellis and Rena (Parker) Jackson in Tremont, Mississippi. One of eleven children (Junior, Arvis, Harvey, Lorene, Bob, Emogene, Nell, Peggy, Lloyd, and Jim), Bill grew up like many southern boys of the day: working hard on cotton farms, and fishing when he could get away with it.

In 1952, at the age of 16, Bill and his twin brother, Bob, moved to Zion, Illinois to live with older brother Harvey (“Sonny”) and join the factory workforce. Bill’s first job there was in a candy manufacturing plant, polishing jelly beans in a brass hopper. In 1956, Bill signed up for the Volunteer Draft for the U.S. Navy. He was inducted and completed boot camp in Illinois before being shipped off to Norfolk, Virginia. Bill went on to become a maintenance Seaman on the USS Wisconsin BB64, a 953-foot battleship stationed in the 6th Fleet of the Mediterranean Sea. While on the Wisconsin – nicknamed “Big Wisky” – Bill worked in the #2 Engine Room, was promoted to Fireman, and saw the far reaches of Italy, France, Spain, South America, Antarctica, and Scotland. He was also inducted into the Order of the Blue Nose, a Navy tradition reserved for sailors who crossed the Arctic Circle, as well as the Ancient Order of the Deep, a similar tradition for those who have crossed the equator. Bill always said that joining the Navy was something he’d do again.

Upon leaving the Armed Forces, Bill returned to Illinois where he met and married JoAnn Mills in 1959. Their first child, Terry Gene Jackson, was born on January 19th, 1960; followed by Kimberly Ann Jackson on December 11th, 1961. He was employed by American Motors in Kenosha, Wisconsin for some time before moving his family to Boulder, Colorado, where he worked for Boulder Valley Volkswagen for several years. He continued to have a passion for automotive mechanics and cars – particularly Volkswagens – throughout his adult life, eventually opening Lafayette Imports in Lafayette, Colorado. He maintained this shop for many years, finally retiring in 1992.

In retirement, one of Bill’s biggest joys was spending time with his family, becoming affectionately known as Papa, or “Pops,” to his grandchildren (4) and great-grandchildren (7). He enjoyed taking trips to McDonald’s to grab Happy Meals and orange soda for them but then wondered why there was an issue that they had bright orange shirts when they returned home. Pops also loved fishing and would take his grandchildren as often as possible, and he was always up for a game of checkers (which he usually lost on purpose just to see his family smile). Pops was unfailingly happy, kind, and his big warm smile could light up a room. He was also a man with deep faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and he shared that faith passionately.

Bill passed away on March 30th, 2025 at the age of 88.

Bill will forever be remembered as a beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He is survived by son Terry (Denise) Jackson of Lingle, Wyoming and daughter Kim Jackson (Craig Sniff) of Firestone, Colorado; siblings Emogene Heavner, Nell Humphries, Peggy Sue Hacker, Lloyd Jackson, and Jim Jackson; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Debbie Swartz; grandchildren Alexia (Shawn) Dunkin, Cody Williams, Henry (Taryn) Jackson, and Joseph (Emelia) Jackson; and great-grandchildren Jackson Williams, Addilynn Williams, Nolan Dunkin, Ireland Dunkin, Bennett Williams, Maeve Dunkin, and Cordelia Jackson.

Bill – Papa, Pops – was truly one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.