Obituary of William Franklin Jackson

William "Bill" Franklin Jackson, 82, of Newfield, NY, passed away at the Cayuga Medical Center on February 25 following an extended battle with COPD. Bill was born November 25, 1941 in Waverly, NY to the late Eugene William and Frances Ahola Jackson, who raised their 13 children on a farm in West Danby, NY. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by six siblings, Eugene, Donald, Richard, Doris, Ida "Irene", Arthur; his close in-laws, Marguerite Jackson, Wynetta Kirk-Pass, Carl Rose. Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alberta Kirk Jackson; son, William Scott; grandchildren, Brody and Liane Jackson; five siblings and their spouses, James (Glenda), Alton, Patricia Osburn (Bill/Oz), Dennis (Kathleen), Linda (Steve) Hovanec, Carl (Corky); his close in-laws, Natalie Rose, Veronica Johnson, Michael Kirk; dozens of beloved nieces and nephews. Bill enlisted in the US Air Force and served his country from 1962-1966, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He received an Air Force Accommodation Medal during his tour in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged in 1966, he was immediately employed at IBM Owego and then Cornell University prior to going back to school on the G.I. Bill. He became a licensed funeral director and worked for Perkins Funeral Home during and following college. He later left the funeral business and worked at Citizens Savings Bank for nearly two decades and spent his last 10 work years at Franziska Racker Centers before retiring in 2004. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman, card player, bowler, and golfer. Most of all "Papa" loved spending time with his grandchildren. The Jackson family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Cayuga Medical Center (ED and 4-North) and the staff at Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing during Bill's end-of-life journey. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. with a celebration of Bill's life at 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of West Danby, 2219 W. Danby Road, Spencer, NY. Refreshments will follow at the church. A private burial will be in the Halsey Valley Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Estey Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Bill, take the time to make someone laugh/smile today by telling them your favorite joke.