Ocean Ridge, FL - William F. Jackson Bill died peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. He was 73. Born on June 18. 1938 in Saratoga Springs, NY Bill was one of nine children born to the late Harry and Eleanor Jackson. He attended St. Clements School in Saratoga Springs. Bill enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in Germany and The U.S. Later he became an electrician, local builder, and entrepreneur. He worked on many projects including the Watervliet Arsenal, The New York State Locks System, Finch Pryn and numerous others. Bill was awarded a medal from West Point Military Academy for excellence in marksmanship. He was commissioned an Officer of The Valiant Air Command, in the grade of Colonel, in Titusville, FL. Bill was a long time member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, the Wilton Rod and Gun Club, Carpenters Union Local 370, Electrical Union local 438 and served as fire commissioner for the Wilton Fire Department. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends fishing at his home on the inter-coastal or at the lake. Bill also enjoyed story telling about the good old days and making people laugh. He was a good dancer and enjoyed music. He was very generous to his heart felt charities and family. Bill had many good friends over the years and never hesitated to make new ones by striking up a random conversation with anyone at any time, on the street, in a store or in a restaurant. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by two brothers, James Jackson and Joseph Jackson; two sisters, Sally Freeburn and Rachel Jackson and his God child, Bobby Hammond. Survivors include his sisters, Francis (Jay) Burns, Emily Keech, Eleanor Tootie (Gerald) Worth, and Hazel (Jay) Premo; his best friend and former wife, Marie Jackson of Ocean Ridge Fl. the mother of his children, Betty Cleveland of Wilton, NY; his children, Timothy Jackson (Debra) of Wilton, NY , Lori (Kenneth) McCann of York, SC., Mary Ann (William) Dowd of Wilton, NY., Marlise (Charles) Ford of Wilton, NY; step-daughter Kathy (Dale) Buckland of Panama City, FL;. grandchildren, Timothy, Gregory, Joshua, Corey, Brad, William, Makaylee, Charlie and Charlette; step grandchildren, Breann, Katie, and Kevin; great-grandchildren, Evangeline, Adair, Katelyn, Emma, Joshua Eric, Addison, Ethan, Brayden; great-step grandchildren, Cameron and Claudia, many nephews, nieces, and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs by the Very Rev. Paul J. Borowski, C.Ss.R. A private interment will be at Maplewood Cemetery, Wilton, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.