Willis Lee Jackson Jr.

Willis Lee Jackson, Jr. was born March 17, 1947 in Montclair, NJ, to loving parents Willis Lee Jackson, Sr. and Lucy C. Jackson. On Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 10:48 am, he went home to be with his lord

Willis attended public schools of Glen Ridge borough and received a formal education. While attending Memphis State University, he met and married the love of his life, Madeleine P. Jackson.

Willis was an incredibly intelligent man who loved cars. He was employed as senior mechanic at Fedex Express until his retirement in 2005. In his spare time, he enjoyed fixing other’s cars, riding his motorcycle, and operating remote controlled cars. Willis was caring, kind, and always made people smile. People could always count on him to lend a helping hand whenever needed.

Willis was dearly loved by his family and many friends. His infectious and charming personality was the trait that formed an instant connection with mostly everyone he came in contact with. Even something so simple as making an order at the drive through could spark a light and humorous conversation that ended in pleasant and gracious service at the checkout window.

To sum up the man Willis was in life, the two grandchildren who reside with him were asked to provide five words off the top of their heads to describe him. The words they provided was as follows: Mentor, reliable, courageous, quick-witted, and charismatic. These words embody the person we all knew and loved so well.

He is predeceased by his son, Willis LeAndre Jackson, who tragically died from a car accident in 1996. He was also predeceased by his father, Willis Lee Jackson, Sr. and his mother, Lucy C. Jackson.

Besides his loving wife Madeleine Jackson, Willis is survived by his son Michael Brown and his wife Jaime Brown of Charleston, South Carolina; his two daughters: Sonja Jackson and Dannielle Jackson of Houston, Texas; his nine grandchildren, Xavier Brown, Michael Brown, Ahmad Brown, Rashad Brown, Jaden Brown, Teshawna Sharina Sutton, Katora Sutton (Brianna), Nicholas Jackson, and Morgan Quarles; and one great grandchild, Brianna Sutton.

Willis is also survived by his beloved sister, Geraldine Jordan. Also sharing in this immense loss is his nephew, James Jordan, Jr. and his wife Tammy Jordan and daughter Shevenie Jackson; and other relatives and friends.