William W. Jordan "Bill"

William W. Jordan (Bill)

William W. Jordan “Bill” transitioned from this life to eternity on Dec 26, 2022. Bill was born

May 01, 1938 in Owassa, AL. At an early age he moved to Birmingham, but after several years

his parents settled in Montgomery. At the age of eight, he began his working career as a

paperboy and picking up twigs in yards within his neighborhood for a penny. Soon after saving

his pennies he was able to purchase a push Reel mower earning 5 cents per yard. This enabled

him to mow his path into the man he became.

He is an alumni of the inaugural graduating class of Robert E. Lee High School in 1956. He was

one of many students who were attending Sidney Lanier High School at that time. They were

given a choice to remain at Sidney Lanier or to transfer to the new Robert E. Lee High School

to become the first graduating class. He then saw an ad in the local newspaper that

Rosenbloom and Sons was hiring for Edwards Shoes in Selma Alabama. He drove to their

headquarters in New Orleans, interviewed and was hired to be the manager of the Selma

store. He then married in 1957 and they continued to live in Selma. Three short years later,

through great leadership skills and arduous work he became District Manager of four stores,

two of which he commissioned their opening. At age 21 he and his wife had their first child a

daughter (Cindy). Approximately two years later Rosenbloom opened a store inside Webers in

Montgomery so Bill and his family moved back and he became the manager of that store.

Bernstein and Sons bought Webers shoe department in 1967 which Bill continued to manage.

Several months later they had their second daughter (Angela). Soon after Myron Bernstein,

owner of the company asked Bill to be his Assistant in charge of buying men, women and

children’s shoes and this required them to move to New Orleans. During this time he was

involved in opening multiple stores in Louisiana and Texas which helped him to grow in real

estate development. On the last day of 1968 they welcomed their third child a boy, (William).

When Bill was thirty-two, Myron Bernstein and Sons sold to Volume Shoe Corp (Payless Shoe

Source). Bill was hired in as Assistant VP of Regional Real Estate Development for Volume Shoe

Corp and moved his family to Topeka, Kansas. During this time he also became a licensed pilot

of small aircraft. Once he flew his first born to (her dismay) to Tennessee for breakfast. By age

thirty-four he was promoted to VP of Real Estate Development where his department opened

over 500 stores nationwide and purchased three chain shoe operations between 1970 and

1982. During this time he also relocated to Pensacola, Fl to develop that region.

In 1982 Bill was asked by his long-time close friend, Tranum Fitzpatrick, to come join him as a

partner in the company he started. So, Bill moved back to Montgomery and joined Guilford

Partners, a residential and commercial real estate development corporation which

constructed apartments, shopping centers and office complexes. During his career at Guilford,

Bill was Executive Vice President and played a key role in creating and developing apartments,

shopping centers, and office complexes in Montgomery and throughout the southeast. Bill

retired in 2012, later selling his shares in Guilford in 2017. He was also a distinguished member

of (NACORE) National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives for many years. Bill was

a remarkably successful player in the NYSE which kept him busy following his retirement.

Anyone who knew Bill was very aware of him being a Porsche enthusiast and having owned

over 17 Porsche’s in 24 years. Along with his love of speed came his infatuation for fast boats

mainly (Fountain Racing boats). He participated in several Fountain Boat Races on Lake Martin

(Alabama) and the Gulf of Mexico (Florida pan handle). One of his greatest joys in life was

when he was on the water. He also had a 34-foot sailboat built and based in Pensacola, FL.

From an early age Bill thrived on adventure; he joined the Boy Scouts and then became an

Eagle Scout. He built and flew model aircraft, enjoyed global traveling by air, sea, and

motorhome, loved fast cars and fast boats along with water skiing. In his fifties he decided to

learn to snow ski, so him and his brother John Delwin purchased the needed equipment and

off to the mountains they went. Of course, Bill mastered these skills and it became another

love for him and his brother.

As a child he was a member of St Luke United Methodist Church and as an adult was a

member of Frazer Church.

Mr. Jordan was preceded in death by his parents Sally Pearl Seale Jordan and John Newton

Jordan, and nephew John Christopher Jordan. He leaves to cherish his memories; wife of 13

years Joyce Elaine Sharp Jordan. Three children; Cindy Ann Jordan Borntrager (Avery), Angela

Lynn Jordan along with her two daughters, son William M. Jordan (Dottie), one step son (David

Dunn), and a brother John Delwin Jordan (Duaine). Grandchildren Jenifer Rae Borntrager

Kudulis (Kenny), William Christopher Borntrager, Myles, Layne, Chayse, and Bryce Jordan, as

well as four Great Grandchildren; and his fur babies The General and BJ.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the in-home care providers and hospital

staff at Baptist Medical Center East who cared for Bill in his last few days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Leak-MC.com for the Jordan family.