William "BILL" H. Jordan
Born: November 3, 1924
Died:
April 4, 2017
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William H. (Bill) Jordan, 92 of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 peacefully in his home, surrounded by the love and support of his family. William was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years Virginia Martin Jordan who passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015; his parents, William and Louise Maglaughlin Bell Jordan, Sr.; brother, Joseph Jordan; and his sons, William and Ralph Jordan.
He is survived by his daughters, Margaret L. Jordan, Susan E. Jordan and her husband Dr. John Fabish and Nancy J. Ozog and her husband Richard; four grandchildren, Julia, Jimmy and Jennifer Ozog and Christina Tress; great-grandsons, Wade Coleman and Grant Ellis, niece, Anne Dubrow and nephews, Joe and John Jordan; several cousins and many special friends.
He was born in Whitesburg, Kentucky and grew up near Winchester, Virginia. He attended Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, NC, Bridgewater College in VA and UVA for his masters degree in education. William enlisted in the US Navy in April of 1943 during WWII, and was commissioned as a Naval Aviator in 1944 which he was extremely proud of. He was assigned to the carrier USS Midway, but just before leaving for Japan, the War ended. Later he faithfully served in the Naval Reserves. William worked in education, first as a high school teacher in Newport, VA and then as a Principal at several high schools in Fairfax County, VA. He was instrumental in the opening of Thomas Jefferson High School in 1964, and remained there until 1978, soon before it became a Magnet Science School.
William loved sports, especially baseball. He will be missed by all who knew him, especially his gentle smile and kind manner. He will be forever remembered as a good man whom lived a good life.
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Steve Timberlake
Mr. Jordan approved every request (there were many) we made of him as a Senior Class. He was quiet, reserved and principled. He liked his students but even more so, his teachers and staff.
He was an 'effective' administrator with uncompromising loyalty to his faculty and staff. When he came to TJ from Falls Church, he brought 18 others with him from Falls Church - so many that the School Board ( or whatever it was at the time ) enacted a rule to prevent that from ever happening again...!!
Many of his faculty took on the role of looking after him and his wife as he aged and went to assisted living facilities, etc. They reciprocated his loyalty and love.
It's a testament to his character and the strength he shared with his wife to survive the loss of his brother and two sons to the same cause of death and live a full and rich life into his 90's. Imagine weathering the trauma he and his wife were dealt.
He loved baseball. When they were young, he and his brother would ride their bikes to Griffith Park ( Arlington) watch the games and return home later that day/night.
He came to our baseball games at times.
He was a nice, good and loyal man and we were lucky to have him at TJHS.
Jim Case, Class of 1968