Frank Stanley Gordon Jr. aka William Lee Hobart Jackson
1934-2003
Born: Phila PA
Died: Peterborough, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA
1934-2003
Born: Phila PA
Died: Peterborough, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA
Bill was born Frank Stanley Gordon Jr, but was nicknamed Lee since his father was called Stan. When he was three years old his parents got divorced and his mother married William W. Jackson. Lee, then, used the alias Lee Gordon Jackson until he was formerly adopted at age 12. He then became William Lee Hobart Jackson. When I first went to visit his parents in Philadelphia I was confused because his mother kept saying the name Lee. I quietly asked who that was and Bill said that was him. His mother tried to call him Bill and I tried to call him Lee, but fortunately Bill answered to both and never missed a beat. He received an excellent classical education at the Episcopal Academy and it was beneficial that attending Chapel happened on a regular basis. He played sports and sang in the Glee Club. Most of the students came from wealthy families and Bill's was not, so the socialization outside of school was minimal. Yet, he was noted for his great sense of humor and antics. When he finishing his second year of college his mother's marriage dissolved and he found himself without funds. Bill's solution was to join the USAF. He started as an Aviation Cadet, became a Navigator, Performance Engineer, Pilot, Flying Instructor and a classroom instructor. During his 20 year stint he managed to get married, have two children ,go to was three times, graduate with a Bachelor's Degree and then a Master's. Bill was an intelligent man who never forgot anything he heard. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed playing with language, liked talking issues, and was 100% honorable and ethical. He loved God, his country and his family. Nothing was ever too much to ask when it concerned those things. He coached sports, taught Sunday School, was on the School Board, worked out at the gym and turned out to be an excellent cook. The latter was a skill that he acquired following his second retirement. I was the recipient of his love and he never tired of telling me this. He got to prove it when he was my nurse, cook. therapist and coach following my catastrophic sudden illness. Fortunately, I got better, but he had enjoyed waiting on me hand and foot. He loved his two children and as their spouses and children came along they, too, benefitted from this.