William Rex Jackson, age 97, a resident of Clinton, passed away Thursday, Aug. 16, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.
Mr. Jackson was born Nov. 27, 1914, in Coalfield. He continued to live in Coalfield until his move to Clinton in 1956.
Following his Coalfield High School graduation, he entered into the United States Army and served his country during World War II. He served in the 137th Armored Division, and he received badges for both carbine marksmanship and sub machine gun expert marksmanship. He additionally received several medals, ribbons, decorations, and citations including the American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon W/1 Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was a faithful Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton. He was also a member of the XYZ Singers at the church.
He was a bookkeeper and pay roll clerk at Consolidated Coal Company, Mahan Coal Company, and Pocahontas Coal before his employment at the Y-12 federal plant in Oak Ridge. He retired from Y-12 after 25 years of employment.
He was an avid gardener who continued to enjoy his vegetable garden until his ill health forced him to stop.
He was an extensive record-keeper, and he enjoyed genealogy. He was a member of the Coalfield Genealogical Society, and he had a vast knowledge of the Coalfield and Morgan County History.
Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Jackson; by his parents, William H. Jackson and Mary Etta McGlothin Jackson; by sisters, Mary Newcomb, Mable Brown, and Alma Duncan; and by brothers, Howard and Harve Jackson.
He is survived by sons, Lyndon Jackson of Clinton, and Donald Jackson and wife Connie of Clinton; by grandsons, Nicholas Clay Jackson of Wartburg, Roger Evan Jackson of Knoxville, and William Alexander Jackson of Wartburg; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
The family will receive friends Monday, Aug. 20, between 6 and 8 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Clinton. The funeral will follow at 8 p.m. in the church with Pastors Stan Elliott and Paul Frick officiating.
Burial and graveside services with full military honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at Anderson Memorial Gardens.
Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.
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