Willie G. Jackson

Albany- Willie G. Jackson, Willie was the first child and first son born to the late Nora Hatten and Gilbert Jackson on March 8, 1939, in Coffee County (Rural), Alabama. Willie passed away on February 17, 2024, at his new home in Albany, NY and was in the loving care of his family.

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Willie and Gail's story:

Gail was the fifth child and third girl born to Cassie Blackmon and Charlie Brown on September 16, 1943, in Geneva County, Alabama. Gail passed away on January 1, 2021, at home and was in the loving care of her family.
Willie was the first child and first son born to Nora Hatten and Gilbert Jackson on March 8, 1939, in Coffee County (Rural), Alabama. Willie passed away on February 17, 2024, at his new home in Albany, NY, and was in the loving care of his family.

They received their elementary education in Alabama. Willie obtained his high school diploma after his service in the Army.

They were married on December 27, 1962, in Rochester, NY.

Gail was a home maker and worked as a seamstress for Timely Clothes and held many occupations, such as a school bus driver.

Willie enlisted in the Army on December 12, 1961. He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on November 29, 1963. Willie served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1963 – 1967. Willie was employed as a mail handler for the United States Postal Service from 1967 – 1999. He retired from the United States Postal Service on July 2, 1999.

Willie chose Memorial A.M.E. Zion as his Church for himself and his family. Willie relocated to Albany, NY in 2023 to live with his daughter.
Gail and Willie were both on bowling leagues and received recognition for their accomplishments. In the 1970s, Willie was a contestant on the game show, "Bowling for Dollars," which was broadcast by WOKR-TV Channel 13 (Now WHAM-TV).
Willie enjoyed playing sports and was a member of several golf leagues. Willie participated in numerous bowling and golf tournaments and earned a trove of trophies from these events.
Gail and Willie had lots of hobbies, traveled, and spent time with their family.
Gail was predeceased in death by her parents: Charlie and Cassie Brown and her siblings: Rebecca Campbell, Edith Miller, Johnny Mack Brown, and Edward James Brown. Her sister, Shelly-Faye (Richard) Washington passed away in January 2021 shortly after Gail's death. Her brother Bobby Brown passed away in October 2023.
Willie was predeceased in death by his dad, Gilbert Jackson; his brother, Willie Louis (Patche) Jackson; his mother, Nora Jackson; his aunt, Eva Louise Hatten Sconiers; and his siblings: Eloise White, Joseph Jackson, Ruth Gordon, and Freddie Jackson.
Both were predeceased by their sons-in-laws: Reginald Phillip Thomas (dad of Marlana and Phillip) and Richard L. Cash (stepdad of Marlana and Phillip).
Willie and Gail leave a legacy of cherishing and valuing the importance of family to all their loved ones:
Children: Barbara Thomas and Belinda Jackson
Grandchildren: Marlana Thomas and Phillip Thomas
Great-grandchildren: Hassan, Aaron, Emir, Ariah, and Akira
Mary Kate Osborn: mother of Hassan and Emir
Siblings: Alice Faye Brown-Oglen, Ann Jackson (Willie) Sankey, Robert Jackson, Franklin (Floretta) Brown, Patsy Ann Brown, Maeola Jackson Flowers, and Daniel Jackson
Uncle Jake Jackson
Brothers-in-love, sisters-in-love, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends