William Jefferson Jackson

William (Jack) Jefferson Jackson, 67, of Eufaula passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the Epic Medical Center. William was born on December 18, 1948, in Eufaula, Oklahoma the son of Bernet Jackson and Eprinon (Revels) Stokes. He attended school at Booker T. Washington until the age of 11. He attended Julian Middle School and later attended high school in Mesa, Arizona. William started boxing in Phoenix before moving back to Eufaula. He was a role model and inspiration for so many young and aspiring boxers. In the late 1960"s he was on his way to the Las Vegas Golden Gloves but missed his bus and was unable to fight. In the late 1970"s thru the 1980"s, Jackson was the top boxing trainer and coach of three boxing camps in Eufaula. William fought professionally out of James "Quick" Tilli" Tulsa based camp, traveling the nation. He was terrific in the ring. He worked several different jobs during his life including the laundry mat for Jim Dobbs, Fountain Head Lodge for Guy Swadley and Burdine Feed. He was also a self-employed former rock mason and farmer. William enjoyed singing and dancing and played in a band with his friends. On November 1, 1972, he married Betty Baker. They were happily married for over forty-three years. William was a member of the Sulphur Springs Baptist Church in Eufaula. When he moved to Phoenix he became a member of the First Pentecostal Church. Survivors include: his wife, Betty, of the home; son, DeWayne M. Jackson and wife, Uganda, of McAlester, OK; daughter, Kimber Jackson, of Victorville, CA; brothers: Arthur Pierce and wife, Lorene, of Tucson, AZ; Sam Stokes, of Tempe, AZ; Johnathan Stokes, and Robert Stokes, both of Phoenix, AZ; sisters: Julie Meeks and husband, Earl; Kathy Alexander and husband James (deceased); Eunice Frazier and husband, Bradley, all of Phoenix, AZ; Claudia Jackson; and Mary Morris and husband, Richard, of Kina, VA; and three grandchildren: Derajé Jackson, Tabitha Jackson, and Jaye Jackson. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Diana Robinson, and infant sister, Gracie; and two brothers: Roger Stokes and Tommy Lee Stokes, Jr. A special thanks to Yvette Jackson, Consuela Johnson and Tommieselle Thompson for all their love and support.