Willard Jackson, 74, died March 31, 2024, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was a fighter all the way. Willard was of the Christian faith, and he’d made peace with the Lord. While not ready to leave us, he knew that he would be welcomed into heaven when he did. Willard was born on Sept. 24, 1949, in Dennison, Ohio, and moved to Iowa shortly thereafter, spending his entire adult life in West Burlington. He married Sandra Kennedy Jackson, and they later divorced. Willard was an apprentice carpenter after graduating from Burlington High School, learning the trade and how to do things the old school way – or as he would tell you – the “right way”. For the rest of his life he perfected and honed his craft working on many of the historic homes in Burlington and building most of the stores in Westland Mall. Few are as talented and attentive to detail when it came to craftsmanship as dad.
It would be fair to say that Dad was opinionated and had strong feelings about things. And he had no problems telling you what he was thinking. He probably hurt some peoples’ feelings over the years, but it was always Dad’s prerogative to stick to his principles and do (or say) what he thought was right. People also appreciated his frankness and dry wit which led to many enduring friendships. Dad had a number of hobbies over the years – most of which were short-lived, but a few of which stuck with him: playing cribbage, fishing, building, and flying model airplanes, playing golf and racquetball, nurturing his plants (or the plants of anyone else that he deemed in need of care), baking pies and other sweet treats from scratch, woodworking, growing black raspberries and wildflowers, remodeling his house (several times!), smoking briskets and ribs and spending time with his grandkids or at their games. He really also loved “messing” with telemarketers when they called him!
Those left to remember Willard include his children, Erica (Wayne) Thomson of Burlington and Kyle of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren Rocky, Bianca, and Vanessa Thomson; siblings Tim (Judy) Jackson of Danville, Darla Stein of Storm Lake, Marla (Roger) Woodsmall of Morning Sun, Mark (Stacy) Jackson of San Marcos, C.A., and numerous extended family and many friends. Willard was preceded in death by a son, Troy Jackson; his parents, James and Della Jackson; brother Marvin Jackson, brother-in-law Jim Stein and many aunts and uncles.
We convey our deep gratitude and appreciation to all of those that showed love and care to dad these last five years – especially those at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Oncology Group and the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House. In accordance with dad’s wishes, no services are planned and cremation has been accorded. There will be memorial and internment of dad’s ashes at Aspen Grove at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Willard’s memory may be directed to either Hope Haven Area Development Center or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House. We’ll miss you Dad and the world will not be the same without you.