Mr. William B. Jackson, Sr.

Adams announces the passing of Mr. William B. Jackson, Sr., 90, who transitioned on August 25, 2017 at his residence.

Adams announces the funeral arrangements for Mr. William Benjamin Jackson, Sr. 12:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at St. Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church located 1112 Jefferson St.

Visitation with the family from 6P.M.-7P.M., Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in The Adams Chapel.

Interment: Catholic Cemetery.

William Benjamin Jackson, Sr. ,“Bill”, peacefully transitioned from his earthly life surrounded by family and friends on August 25, 2017. Born in house on Augusta Avenue in Savannah, Georgia on September 14, 1926 to Rachel Jackson, 14 years old and Louis Hayes, 17 years old. Bill spent his early years in a home raised by his grandmother, Julia Jackson and mother on West Gwinnett Street between East Broad and Price Streets. He attended East Broad Elementary School. A native Savannahian, Bill was a lifetime educator and advocate for students and equal rights for all people.

Following graduation from Alfred Ely Beach High School he was drafted into the United States Navy where he served on the diesel submarine USS Cubera 347. He was the captain’s steward… “I had to have the captain’s uniform in shape. ‘Jacko you take care of everything.’ ” At the end of his enlistment his duty office, recognizing his potential encouraged him to get out of the Navy and go to college. Following this advice and service to his country, Bill used the VA bill to attend Georgia State University where he graduated after two years and 9 months with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math in 1949. "During college I met one of my most valuable friends, Prince A. Jackson, Jr. We studied and completed our baccalaureate degrees together. In college we had concerned and committed teachers, especially Martha Wilson and J. B. Clemmons, who were invested in our progress and success."

He married Haselera Morgan Black in 1949, one month after graduating for Georgia State. From this union, four children were born, Haseleria Shell, Victor Jackson (deceased), Carl Jackson (deceased) and William B. Jackson, II. Bill loved his family deeply and always tried to lend a helping hand.

He once summarized his career path, saying “Look here, I went from a bus boy- cleaning tables, waxing floors and working in the hole of the ship- to Assistant Superintendent of the Savannah Public Schools.

Following his graduation from Georgia State and marriage the young family moved to rural Alabama, fifty miles south of Selma where Bill began his teaching career making $215 per month (compared to $140 per month in Savannah). “I was a Mathematics and Science teacher, Athletic Coach, and Assistant Principal of Arlington Literary and Industrial Institute. I was mentored by Kossuth Purifoy Thomas; I became his ‘little brother’”. Mr. Thomas was the principal of Arlington Literary and Industrial Institute which was sponsored by the National Presbyterian Church. When I began, “there was no public school for black children in Arlington Alabama”. In Alabama, Mr. Jackson later stated, “You were supposed to have your hat in your hand” and I was a “biggity” man from Georgia who was trying to teach black children to read. So with a “wife and Peaches I had to get out of there”. In 1952, “out of there” was Alabama’s loss and Savannah’s gain as Mr. Jackson began his extraordinary and progressive teaching and leadership career in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Mr. Jackson began at Paulsen Elementary/Junior High School until 1958. In 1958-62 Mr. Jackson worked at Sol C. Johnson High School, first as a Mathematics teacher and completing his tenure there as an Assistant Principal.

During his time at Johnson, Mr. Jackson was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship, which allowed him to pursue graduate studies in Mathematics, first at North Carolina College in Durham and Duke, finishing at Atlanta University where he earned a Masters’ Degree in Mathematics in 1960.

Following completion of his Master’s degree in Math, “Fess” (short for Professor) as he was frequently called, returned to Johnson High School. While at Johnson, he worked with many outstanding teachers.  

His work in civil rights began at an early age when he joined the NAACP at Cuyler Junior High School. He worked closely with the late W.W. Law for six decades. Mr. Jackson was also influenced by Reverend Ralph Mark Gilbert as he sought social justice through NAACP activism.

As an educator during the Civil Right era, Mr. Jackson was a pioneer in the integration of the Savannah school’s administration in Savannah. He was, as he called it, the “icebreaker”. “The best black teachers were selected to integrate the schools; that included me and Louis Young.” At the age of 40, Mr. Jackson of the Neighborhood Youth Corps was named Assistant Principal of Savannah High School, which had the largest student body of any high school in the state (Jet, May4, 1967).

Mr. Jackson had a deep love for West Savannah where he was born and raised his family. "I have long years of experience living in West Savannah. I found this neighborhood to be composed of hard working black families who were homeowners. People here always had individual homes that they owned. There was no rental property around here . There was a zeal here to press children on the value of receiving a quality education, and get quality opportunities in life. Many people left West Savannah and did well in society and life. This community had black businesses and craftsmen to include a television repair shop, a shoe shop, upholstery shop, carpentry shop and the history Savannah Pharmacy had a branch pharmacy at the corner of Eagle St. and Augusta Ave.”

Mr. Jackson is the recipient of multiple awards, including the W.W. Law Legacy Award (2009), which is given to honor an individual who embodies the seemingly tireless effort and selfless dedication that was characteristic of Mr. Law. Recipients of this award are recognized for their commitment to the King-Tisdell Cottage, the Beach Institute, the Ulysses Davis Collection, the Legacy Program, or for their tangibly evidenced commitment to the preservation of African-American history and to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Chatham County.  

Mr. Jackson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Falcons, NAACP, and St. Philip Monumental AME.

He is survived by daughter, Haseleria Shell and son, William B. Jackson, II, MD, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter and multiple friends and family members.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. William Benjamin Jackson, Sr. will be 12:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at St. Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church located 1112 Jefferson St. Interment: Catholic Cemetery. Visitation with the family from 6P.M.-7P.M., Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in The Adams Chapel.
 

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