Obituary of William Austin Jackson

Graveside memorial services for Mr. William Austin Jackson, 80, of West Monroe will be held at Carter Cemetery, Collinston Rd., Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 10 a.m. with Bro. Allan Eppinette officiating under the direction of Golden Funeral Home. Mr. Jackson died Monday, June 4, 2018, while a resident at Lagniappe Nursing Home in Bastrop, La. William was born March 15, 1938 in Lake Providence, La. the 5th child of James T. and Willie Sue Jackson.

William worked many years with Carol Steel  Erectors, his brother, Billy’s company and retired from Jackson Steel Erectors (owned by his nephew) when they were located in W. Monroe, La. He took pride in showing off buildings located throughout the State of La., that he had helped build, especially locally, including the beautiful  Library Bldg. on ULM campus. He believed in good, hard, work ethics. At age 75 while supposedly doing ‘runner’ work for his nephew, he was asked to leave at midday to go home for the day and rest. He would refuse, saying he wanted to stay and see that the men did their work right, or by his own specifications. At times the other workers felt confused as to who the ‘boss’ was as William kept an eye on them. He came up working hard and expected the same from others. He had one drawback as he thought he could fix anything that broke down. Sometimes that was good and others, not as well.

After retirement William loved working a garden. He knew the vegetables and their seasons to grow. He loved working his yard. If it had grass, he mowed it, or if it didn’t, he swept it. He loved checking on the hands who had worked alongside him, trying to keep up with everyone. If his truck broke down, he always knew someone with the answer, or the means for fixing it, but often times he’d call ‘sister’ and she’d send for help from the wrecker service to pull his truck home or call the repair shop for their assistance.

He loved grocery shopping, probably because he would run into so many people to talk with. He spoke to everyone and always had something nice to say to them. He often told people they needed to get on their knees and pray. He loved the Lord. He was a kind person with a loving heart. He loved spending time with his family. Before his illness, he visited church services at Harmony Baptist in Collinston and loved the people there. A favorite pastime was catfishing along the bayous in Northeast La.  He also enjoyed deer hunting and turkey hunting. His next love was eating and could stash away a few boiled  shrimp at any buffet.

Survivors left to cherish his memory are sisters: Julie Ostteen, Bastrop and Dorothy McKean, Rosharon, Tx; Sister-in-law, Carol Jackson, Aledo, Tx; Brother-in-law, Carlton Ostteen, Bastrop; Nephews: James Jackson, Grapevine, Tx.; Mike Ostteen, Rowlett, Tx; Nat McKean and John McKean, Rosharon, Tx; Eddie Jackson, Little Rock, Ark; Danny Schwartz, Bastrop, La; David, Joe and Louis Schwartz all of the New Orleans area; Bruce Zakrzewski, Norfolk, Va; and David Zakrzewski, Atlanta, Ga. Nieces: Lisa Jackson, Aledo, Tx; Jan Whitehead, Highlands Ranch, Co; Nancy Patrick, Bastrop, La; Suzanne Roberts, Downsville, La; Terrie Burch, Little Rock, Ark; and Rosemary Caville, Hammond, La. Also many great nieces and nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, James T. Jackson and wife Sadie; mother, Willie Sue Jackson; brothers, Charles, Billy and Calvin; Sisters: Bobbie Ruth Schwartz and Georgia Manno.

Special thanks to Lagniappe Nursing Home and Premier Hospice of Bastrop for the compassionate care rendered to William during his stay. Thanks to Glenwood Med. Center for their continuous care following his heart and stomach surgeries, and Morehouse General ER personnel for their care, and to Golden Funeral Home for their assistance. Many thanks to our church family, Harmony Baptist, for the prayers sent up for William and our family. Because he had a great love for little children, any planned memorials may be made to the Harmony Baptist Church Children’s programs @ P.O. Box 789; Bastrop, La. 71221