Willie Franklin Jackson

Willie Franklin Jackson, age 81, died July 5, 2018 at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, KY.

Willie was born October 9, 1936, in Calloway County, KY to Legal and Jessie (Woodall) Jackson. He was reared and educated in Calloway County, graduating from Almo High School in 1955 and Murray State University in 1959. Willie married the love of his life, Martha Ann Maupin, on August 3, 1957.

Willie and Martha lived the majority of his life in Murray, Kentucky, with brief stints in Montverde, Florida; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Willie always made decisions that would best serve his family. He earned a rank of Lieutenant Colonel in May 1981 in the Army Reserves. He retired from the military in 1986. Willie had a long and productive career in the Murray Independent School District. Willie taught classes, then was Principal at Murray Middle School for 2 years. In 1971, he became Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) and created the MISD Transportation Program and was its Director. He was DPP and Transportation Director until early 1980s before becoming an Elementary School Principal for about 3 years. After his 3-year stint, Willie went back to the Central Office, becoming the Assistant Superintendent, as well as the DPP and TD, until his 1st retirement in 1995. Then for 5 years, Willie worked part time performing his AS, DPP and TD duties, retiring again in 2000. Willie was fully retired for 1 year, before working part time again for 1 year as Interim Superintendent. Willie retired the final time in 2002. Willie was proud that he had taught many of our local doctors and business leaders while with MISD.

Willie was a member of the Murray First United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Murray Lions Club. He was a devoted husband to his wife Martha, a loving father to his two children, 4 grandchildren and one great grandson. He loved his family and enjoyed anything to do with fishing and woodworking. Willie and Martha loved working together on home projects. Willie was a great tomato gardener and could spend hours in his shop just piddling around. He loved traveling and spending special times with his grandchildren. His primary job was to train his grandsons to love fishing, woodworking, archery, and shooting pellet guns. They had many wonderful and productive adventures.

Survivors include his daughter, Karen Clendenning and husband Gary, grandson Ryan, granddaughter Emily Frey and husband Tim, and great grandson Colton Frey; son, Wayne Jackson and wife Kelly, grandsons Ben and Dan Jackson; brother James Ronald Jackson and wife Linda; and several nieces and nephews.

Willie is preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann, his parents Legal and Jessie Jackson, and his sister Doris Jean Watkins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home. Dr. Rick Dye and Rev. Jim Stahler will officiate, and burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071, the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter Kaden Tower, 6100 Dutchmans LN STE 401, Louisville, Kentucky 40205-3284, or the Murray First United Methodist Church, 503 Maple Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com