William R. (Bill) Jackson, Sr.

William R. (Bill) Jackson, Sr., 90, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, June 25, 2024. He was a devoted husband, father, educator, lifelong black powder rifle enthusiast, and friend. His strong handshake was legendary. He was born Aug. 9, 1933 to George T. and Della Jackson on Troy Hill. He was raised a devoted Catholic, attending St. Fidelis Seminary in Butler from age 11 to 16 and graduating from North Catholic High School. He subsequently served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955, but always remained a Marine. (Semper Fi!) He graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in education, and began a 30-year career as an educator for the Pittsburgh Board of Education. He taught English at Columbus Middle School and Perry High School, where he also served as the track coach. He worked summers for Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation and non-profits, working in and developing programs for disadvantaged youth. After earning master's degrees in education and education administration from the University of Pittsburgh, he transitioned from the classroom to administration to support his growing family, serving as a vice principal of planning and development at Connelly Skill Learning Center in the Hill District. There, he developed new programs to assist city residents in learning the skill sets demanded by an evolving work place in the 1970s and early 1980s. He finished his career as vice principal of Schenley High School. Bill actively served as a positive role model for students not only there, but in his community as is evidenced by the multi-generational span of individuals who attest to his friendship and gracious influence Bill was predeceased by his first wife of 22 years, Mary Anne; siblings Timothy Jackson, George Jackson, Jack Jackson, and Sister Maria Jackson. He is survived by his second wife Joanne (Jody) Jackson, with whom he spent nearly 40 years at their treasured farm, Pepper Hill; seven children William R. (Chip) Jackson Jr. (Linda); Thomas J. Jackson; Beth Anne Jackson (Peter Balash); James T. Jackson; James T. Willis (Liane); Megan Jackson Hook (Jeremy); and Brian R. Willis (Samantha); his sister Della (Phil) Baurle; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bill's avocation was target-shooting black powder rifles, which he did competitively with the Chartiers Valley Guard in the North South Skirmish Association. He was a member of North Side Sportsmen's Association for more than 50 years. In concert with this passion, Bill had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War. He was also an avid reader, lover and writer of poetry, and devoted singer of Irish songs of rebellion. Above all, he spent his life living out the tenets of the fruits of the Spirit. Friends will be welcomed at McDonald Linn Funeral Home, 529 California Ave. in Avalon, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28 at St. Mary's Church in Glenfield. Burial with military honors will be on Saturday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. in Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, 204 Cemetery Ln. Memorial donations in Bill's memory are suggested to Hope Hospice (hopehospicePGH.org), 3356 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237; the VA Butler Healthcare System (VA.gov/butler-health-care), 353 N Duffy Rd., Butler, PA 16001; or Divine Redeemer Parish (divine-redeemer.org), 200 Walnut St., Sewickley, PA 15143.