LT. COL. William Harry "Bill" Jordan, USAF, Ret.

LT. COL. William Harry "Bill" Jordan, USAF, Ret., 100, of Aiken, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2022. Bill was born on May 21, 1921 in Charleston, MO to H. Horace and Estella Jordan. Bill’s parents and brother Carl would eventually move to Belleville, IL. After graduating from Belleville Township High School West, he attended Westminster College in Fulton, MO, where he was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity. Bill enlisted in the USAF and served in WWII in the South Pacific and would later graduate from Westminster. Bill began his career at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in St. Louis, MO. There he would meet the love of his life, Jean Merrill, the pretty young brunette who worked down the hall. After dating a few years they married in Riverside, CA, on June 7, 1951. They would move back to the Midwest and reside in Belleville where they raised four children. Throughout Bill’s long well lived life, he had many talents and passions. He was a self-taught artist specializing in acrylic paint, became a licensed amateur ham radio operator, loved flying the Cessna plane he shared with a co-worker, enjoyed houseboat ownership, travel, a round of golf, and firing up the grill. Bill was an avid reader and had a vast library to prove it. He also served on the boards of his children’s school, the YMCA and on various church committees. After 35 years at Southwestern Bell, as Area Vice President-Western Region Services Division, Bill and Jean retired to Hilton Head Island, SC. For eleven years they made wonderful friends and memories. Woodside Plantation in the charming town of Aiken, SC would become their final destination. Bill is predeceased by his wife Jean of over 70 years and brother Carl (Evelyn), Maplewood, MN. He I survived by sons Bill (Susan), Carmel, CA, Jim (Beth), Putney, VT, Doug (Kate), St. Louis, MO; daughter Nancy (Greg), Little Rock, AR; four grandchildren; one niece; and two nephews. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to caregivers Melissa, Della and the Daybreak Services team. Bill was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and a dear friend to many. He will be remembered for his charm, warm personality, great sense of humor, and generosity. Burial will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, in Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, SPCA or charity of your choice. Bill’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of LT. COL. William Harry "Bill" Jordan, USAF, Ret., please visit our flower store.