William Bernard Jackson

William's Journey

William Bernard Jackson was born to Mae Willie Jackson and Sterling in Cleveland, Ohio on December 20, 1954. William attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from East Technical High School in 1972 where he was a member of the track and football teams. After high school he attended Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota where he continued to play football. Many of William’s friends affectionately called him “BO” when he was a young man. William was married to Kay Guziak and through that union his pride and joy were born, Raechel Symonne and Kristiana Berenice. William lived in Texas and worked in pharmaceutical sales until his health failed. After a long season of illness, William relocated to Cleveland, Ohio to be with his sister, Myra Joyce Jones and the rest of his nieces and nephews.

William was anything but laid back, making sure that when you were with him, if you didn’t do anything else, you were going to laugh. He made sure to share how precious his children were to him. He loved talking about his girls, how they were all grown up and doing big things in life. William often reminisced about his college days as a football player and his work as a traveling pharmaceutical sales agent.

One of William’s favorite pastimes was watching movies with his sister while eating popcorn and enjoying drinks. He often talked through the whole movie. William loved Spider-Man and old movies. R&B music from the 60s and 70s brought excitement that could be seen in his face when he heard the songs from his childhood and early adulthood. It was not uncommon for William to scream out to his sister when an old song played on the television, asking her if she remembered the song – sometimes initiating a lively conversation about things that his sisters used to do when they all were young. William was the life of the party no matter where he was and he made sure that people who were with and around him continued to talk and laugh because he was filter-free. If William had something to say, he said it, especially when he saw a beautiful woman. He made sure to let you know, let her know, and if she was with someone else, he let them know that he thought she was beautiful too.

Due to his failing health, William transitioned from the home he shared with his sister and her family to a skilled nursing facility in 2022. On January 6, 2023 William left us here on earth to join his mother, Mae Willie Jackson and his sister, Mae Ella Tucker, both preceding him in death. He leaves behind, his daughters, Raechel Symonne Hopson (Thomas) and Kristiana Dove Vega; his sister, Myra Joyce Jackson Jones; his nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends.

Understand that God called William home. You don’t have to be sad because he is sitting beside his mother and sister and looking out for each of us. So, when you find yourself smiling about a memory of William, know that he is sitting nearby. He will be greatly missed, so go ahead and make your peace and when you feel like you are going to cry, look to the sky and know that William is near because it is your memories that keep him close.

Public Viewing to be held February 15, 2023 5PM - 7PM at Gaines Funeral Home 5386 Lee Road Maple Heights, OH 44137 with a celebration of life will be held Thursday February 16, 2023, Wake 10AM Funeral 10:30AM Interment: Riverside Cemetery. 

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