OBITUARY – WILLIAM C. JORDAN
1928-2020
"We flicker on a screen,
We fold and unfold upon the mind's eye,
Brittle as wings,
Eternal as a heartbeat.
And even when
The heart falls silent,
We do not cease to be,
Because in the end,
We all become memories."
--"Turn Again to Life," by Mary Lee Hall

William Carroll Jordan, 91, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 18, 2020, at Manchester Memorial Hospital after a brief hospitalization. Bill was born March 29, 1928, in Derby, CT, to William Henry Jordan, Jr., and Lillian Gertrude (Carroll) Jordan. He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1946 and joined the U.S. Army the next year. Over the next 22 years, Bill built a career in the military, first with the U.S. Army and then with the U.S. Air Force; he retired in 1972 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. His military career included service in post-World War II Germany, in Cold War-era West Germany, and in Saigon, Vietnam, plus several domestic duty stations. His military honors included the Bronze Star and the Joint Chiefs Commendation Medal. He worked in the civilian sector for many years after retiring from the Air Force, and then enjoyed many years of retirement in Durham, Berlin and Manchester, Connecticut. He was a big believer in education, both for young people as well as for himself, and earned a Bachelor's degree in his 40's and a Master's degree in his 50's. Bill was the consummate family man. His wife and family always came first. He was married to Marie Josephine (Manning) Jordan for nearly 66 years, and they were each other's soulmate throughout that time. Together they raised three sons in over a dozen duty stations and civilian locales in the U.S. and in West Germany. His favorite activities were sightseeing, reading, watching old movies, and keeping up with the news of his extended family.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Robert Francis Jordan and his wife Carole (Taylor) Jordan. He leaves behind his wife Marie; his sons and daughters-in-law, David Andrew Jordan and Jody of Sarasota, FL; Mark Alan Jordan and Lisa Careau of Northampton, MA; and William Paul Jordan and Kristen of Fulshear, TX. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and spouses – Daniel Jordan and Lauren Woodard of Washington, DC; Zachary Jordan and Sarah of Austin, TX; Ben Jordan and Jen of Westborough, MA; Tyler Jordan of Shrewsbury, MA; Connor Jordan of Shrewsbury, MA; Lindsey Davenport of Houston, TX; and Angie Davenport of Gainesville, FL.
His ashes will be interred at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, in accordance with his wishes. A remembrance of his life may be made to one of his favorite charitable organizations, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.