EDWARDSVILLE, IL- Sergeant First Class (U.S. Army- Retired) Willis F. Jackson Sr, 85, formerly of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on January 30, 2018 at Liberty Village of Maryville, IL.

He was born on November 24, 1932 in Overland, MO to Willis L. and Margaret Boucher Jackson. He married Monica E. Winzig on April 17, 1954 in Wuerzburg, Germany. They spent 61 years together before Monica passed away on November 15, 2015.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings, George Jackson, Harvey Jackson, and Joyce Jackson Simpson.

Willis proudly served his country in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring in 1976. He served in the Vietnam War, from 1969-1970. After his retirement, he worked as a Veterans Representative for the State of Illinois for 20 years. He was a member of the America Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his three sons, Willis F. Jackson Jr. (wife, AnnMarie) of Overland Park, KS, Kenneth L. Jackson (wife, Brenda) of O'Fallon, IL, and Richard L. Jackson (wife, Tammy) of Mascoutah, IL; seven grandchildren, Katie Woolsey, Kelly Jackson, Christopher Jackson and Alex Jackson, Willis F. Jackson III, Aiden Jackson, and Pauline Jackson; four great-grandchildren, Emma Woolsey, Mikaella Moreland, Olivia Mae Jackson and Mara Jackson; siblings, Raymond Jackson (wife, Connie) of San Antonio, TX, Ralph Jackson (wife, Donna) of Glen Carbon, IL, Marty Jackson (wife, Connie) of La Center, WA, and Marilyn Noorizadeh (husband, Mohammad) of Mesquite, TX.

Memorial donations may be made to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans Charity. Additional condolences may also be sent to the family through this online guestbook.

VISITATION: A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 12:00 P.M.- 1:00 P.M. at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, IL 62234. A service will be held at 1:00 P.M, officiated by Pastor Robert McNutt.

GRAVESIDE: A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 1:30 P.M., where military honors will be rendered.