Obituary of Billy Jackson

Billy Stuart Jackson was born on November 17, 1946 Mullins, SC to Frank and Eugenia (Suggs) Jackson. He graduated from Green Sea High School.  He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on February 29, 1968. He married Donna Steiner on March 15, 1975 while stationed in Orlando, Florida. During his years of service he was awarded six Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal with Bronze star, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle “E” fourth award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Expert Pistol Ribbon, Enlisted Surface Warfare Breast Insignia, and Navy Commendation Medal.  He retired on June 1, 1992, as a Chief Petty Officer.

Following his retirement, he worked as a security guard at Baker Hospital for a period of time. He tried the retired life again but soon got bored. He worked as a Parts Manager at Carolina Material Handling and then Linde Material Handling. Retirement finally stuck after the third try. He enjoyed riding his Harley Road King, Gold-wing 1800, and finally the trike.

He always had a fascination with military vehicles and in 2011 he joined the Military Vehicle Preservation Association.  In July 2012, after much preparation with a dedicated group of friends,  he and Donna departed on a three month trip in a restored M35 deuce and a half maintenance support vehicle named Eleanor. They traveled across country to participate in the 70th Anniversary of the building of the Alaskan Highway. They joined 200 military vehicle enthusiasts from all over the world. The convoy departed from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, up to the Arctic Circle, across the Top of the World Highway, and back down the world famous Alaskan Highway over the course of 30 days. All of this following convoy protocols at speeds up to 35 mph.  They dry camped in gravel pits, abandoned and active air strips, and even a few actual campgrounds. They arrived home the end of September and had traveled in excess of 13,000 miles with many great memories.

They also participated in the Bankhead Convoy in 2015 that took them from Washington D.C. to San Diego, California in a 1955 M38A1 Willis Jeep.

Billy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna (Steiner) Jackson of Goose Creek, SC, a son, Jason (Lori) Jackson of Temperance, MI, six siblings Danny Jackson, Steve Jackson, Cindy Jackson all from the Tabor City, NC area, Ken Jackson of Lexinton, KY, Dennis Todd, Winder, GA, Donald Todd, Cayce, SC, and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He died at home on 4/15/2018 at the age of 72.  Billy is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Gail Blanton, a nephew, Benji Blanton, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.