William “Billy” Franklin Jackson, Jr., 81, of Sardis, MS, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford.

Billy was born to William Franklin and Tencie Childress Jackson on September 10, 1932, at the family farm, west of Sardis. After high school, he joined the United States Army, where he served in the medical detachment of the 29th Tank Battalion, attaining the rank of sergeant. A graduate of Mississippi State University, he also earned an advanced degree in education administration from the University of Mississippi. Billy worked in industry for thirteen years until 1995, when he joined the staff of Northwest Mississippi Community College. There he served as Coordinator of Industrial Training, until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of Sardis United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Ruth Cleland Jackson of Sardis; one daughter Mary Cleland Jackson McLoughlin( Mike) of Bartlett, TN; two sons, William Franklin Jackson, III and John Lloyd Cleland Jackson, both of Sardis; one granddaughter, Allison Marie Jackson of Starkville, one grandson Trevor Lloyd William Jackson (Janet) of Northfield, IL; one step-granddaughter Alyssa McLoughlin of Jackson, TN; and two sisters Clara Dell Klyce of Sardis and Alice Faye Duke of Eupora. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son. Ray-Nowell Funeral Home – Sardis Chapel has charge of arrangements.