William Raymond Jett Jr.

Born on January 13, 1948, in Northumberland County, Virginia, to William R. Jett, Sr. and his wife Doris, Skip moved with his family to Houston at a young age. Though his roots were in Virginia, Skip quickly embraced the Lone Star State and proudly considered himself a Texan ever since. During his senior year at Stephen F. Austin High School, he injured his knee playing football, an injury that required surgery. Following graduation, driven by a strong sense of duty, Skip volunteered to serve in the United States Marine Corps. Weeks into boot camp, his knee flared up. Refusing to quit, Skip pushed through the intense physical demands—performing on crutches with a severely swollen knee while carrying his rifle and full equipment—until a medical evaluation forced him home. Though honorably discharged, Skip’s humility meant he never quite considered himself a veteran because he didn't deploy to Vietnam with his buddies, though many veterans over the years rightly reminded him, "You are a veteran, you volunteered to serve."

Skip always wanted to have his own money in his pocket, starting to work part-time on the docks as a longshoreman at the tender age of 14. This sparked a legendary 52-year membership with the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 24. Over the decades, he worked for companies like Sea-Land and A.P. Møller-Maersk, and even served as the President of the Walking Foreman Committee for a time. A true pioneer of the waterfront, Skip was part of the elite team that worked the very first container ship to ever dock at the Barbours Cut Terminal. In addition to his decades on the waterfront, Skip also spent a period working as a Reserve Deputy Constable—a role in which he looked remarkably handsome in his uniform.

A Renaissance man at heart, Skip was a brilliant handyman who could do almost anything, from woodworking to electrical wiring. He also had a deep, lifelong love for history—reading it voraciously, watching it, and talking about it, with a particular fondness for nonfiction.

Skip lived a life marked by kindness, unwavering integrity, generosity, and a fierce, protective love for his family and friends. Blessed with a natural wit, he could hardly resist playing playful practical jokes on friends and family alike. A truly multi-talented soul, he played the trumpet and the harmonica, and after retirement, he even taught himself how to play the guitar. He possessed a beautiful voice with which he often serenaded his loved ones. An outdoorsman at heart, he loved working on his lawn and garden, boating, kayaking, traveling, and spending time on Galveston Bay. His passion for the water led him to earn his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license, allowing him to run his night fishing guide business, "Moonlight Magic," where he just loved watching the excitement on his clients' faces when they hooked the big one. He was also a true music lover who enjoyed listening to music—loudly—especially classic country. But above all else, his greatest joy was dancing away Saturday nights with his adoring wife, Alice.

Skip loved his life. He worked hard, he played hard, and he never slowed down.

He will be greatly missed and remembered for the wonderful man that he was by his surviving family: his loving, devoted wife of 32 years, Alice; his daughters, Lori Jett and Kim Beckham; his son, Jonathan Jett; his bonus daughter, Shawna Bentley and son-in-law, Ron Bentley; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his older sister, Estelle Murphy; nieces, nephews, his Virginia family; his first wife, Margaret Blackman; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William R. Jett, Sr. and Doris; his sisters, Anne Green and Jenny (Virginia); and his brother, Wilton.

His warmth, humor, spirit, and steady presence will be deeply missed and forever treasured by all who knew him.