Welcome to the memorial page for
William "Bill" Harrison Jordan Jr.
March 29, 1925 ~ August 29, 2017 (age 92) 92 Years OldShare Tribute:
William H. (Bill) Jordan, Jr., of Norman, age 92, passed away on August 29th, 2017 following an illness of several months. Bill was born in Wilburton, Oklahoma in 1925 to William Harrison and Nora (Dameron) Jordan. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1942 and served in the US Army in World War II, in the 328th Infantry. A member of the “Greatest Generation”, Bill saw action with the 328th in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, rising to the rank of Corporal. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned an American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, four Bronze Service Stars, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was honourably discharged from the army after the war.
After his military service, Bill came to Norman and never left, attending the University of Oklahoma from 1946-50 and earning a BS Degree in Business in 1950. He majored in Accounting with a minor in Business Law. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, International Business Fraternity, and the University Accounting Club. It was at the University of Oklahoma that he met his future wife, Julia Anne Nickell, whom he married in August of 1950. They have resided in Norman for 67 years.
Bill began working for the University of Oklahoma in July, 1950 in the Auditing Section of the Comptroller’s Office. In 1953, he obtained the position of Internal Auditor, Head of the Auditing Office. He served in that position until the early seventies. He later was Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Director of Risk Management. He retired in December, 1987, having completed 37 years of service to the University of Oklahoma.
Bill was an athlete and avid sports fan. He attended every OU football home game from 1950 onwards. He also attended OU baseball, wrestling, basketball, and track events and he was a Big Eight Track and Field official for years.
Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Norman since 1951 and was a member of the church choir for over 60 years. He also served on the church Board of Trustees and various committees.
Bill enjoyed acting and was involved in many plays at OU and other variety shows in Norman, including the Second Stage Players and the Red Stocking Follies.
Bill loved raising pigeons, a lifelong hobby. He specialized in Racing Homers and was a member of the American Racing Pigeon Union and Oklahoma Pigeon Association for many years. His birds won a number of racing awards. He was also a pigeon Show Judge and worked shows in different parts of the country, including the State Fair of Oklahoma. He promoted the sport of raising pigeons and gave many talks to youth organizations and other groups. He also was an avid birdwatcher and was able to identify birds from their flight patterns.
In retirement, Bill was an instructor of water aerobics at the University’s Murray Case Sells Swim Complex for many years. His later years were spent caring for his pigeons, teaching water aerobics, and participating in church activities.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bob G. Jordan, and his daughter, Susan Kay Jordan. He is survived by his wife Julia “Judy” (Nickell) Jordan, his son Jeffrey Scott Jordan (wife Rossann Mosher) of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Susan Kristine Becker (husband Shane) of Redding, California; and Dane Alexander Jordan of Denver, Colorado.
Services are under the care of Havenbrook Funeral Home (3401 Havenbrook St., Norman). Viewing will be on Friday, September 1st, 2017, 4-8 PM.
Graveside services will be Saturday, September 2nd, 2017, 9 AM at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Norman.
A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life will be held on October 1st at the First Presbyterian Church of Norman at a time to be determined.
The Jordan Family would like to express its gratitude to the Noble Health Care Center and all the staff that provided excellent care during the past several months. The family also appreciated the care provided by Loving Care Hospice of Noble.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bill’s memory may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Norman Foundation, 555 S. University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069
After his military service, Bill came to Norman and never left, attending the University of Oklahoma from 1946-50 and earning a BS Degree in Business in 1950. He majored in Accounting with a minor in Business Law. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, International Business Fraternity, and the University Accounting Club. It was at the University of Oklahoma that he met his future wife, Julia Anne Nickell, whom he married in August of 1950. They have resided in Norman for 67 years.
Bill began working for the University of Oklahoma in July, 1950 in the Auditing Section of the Comptroller’s Office. In 1953, he obtained the position of Internal Auditor, Head of the Auditing Office. He served in that position until the early seventies. He later was Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Director of Risk Management. He retired in December, 1987, having completed 37 years of service to the University of Oklahoma.
Bill was an athlete and avid sports fan. He attended every OU football home game from 1950 onwards. He also attended OU baseball, wrestling, basketball, and track events and he was a Big Eight Track and Field official for years.
Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Norman since 1951 and was a member of the church choir for over 60 years. He also served on the church Board of Trustees and various committees.
Bill enjoyed acting and was involved in many plays at OU and other variety shows in Norman, including the Second Stage Players and the Red Stocking Follies.
Bill loved raising pigeons, a lifelong hobby. He specialized in Racing Homers and was a member of the American Racing Pigeon Union and Oklahoma Pigeon Association for many years. His birds won a number of racing awards. He was also a pigeon Show Judge and worked shows in different parts of the country, including the State Fair of Oklahoma. He promoted the sport of raising pigeons and gave many talks to youth organizations and other groups. He also was an avid birdwatcher and was able to identify birds from their flight patterns.
In retirement, Bill was an instructor of water aerobics at the University’s Murray Case Sells Swim Complex for many years. His later years were spent caring for his pigeons, teaching water aerobics, and participating in church activities.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bob G. Jordan, and his daughter, Susan Kay Jordan. He is survived by his wife Julia “Judy” (Nickell) Jordan, his son Jeffrey Scott Jordan (wife Rossann Mosher) of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Susan Kristine Becker (husband Shane) of Redding, California; and Dane Alexander Jordan of Denver, Colorado.
Services are under the care of Havenbrook Funeral Home (3401 Havenbrook St., Norman). Viewing will be on Friday, September 1st, 2017, 4-8 PM.
Graveside services will be Saturday, September 2nd, 2017, 9 AM at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Norman.
A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life will be held on October 1st at the First Presbyterian Church of Norman at a time to be determined.
The Jordan Family would like to express its gratitude to the Noble Health Care Center and all the staff that provided excellent care during the past several months. The family also appreciated the care provided by Loving Care Hospice of Noble.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bill’s memory may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Norman Foundation, 555 S. University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069
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