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Celebrating the life of William Lorenzo Jackson, Sr.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 9, 2026
WHEREAS, William Lorenzo Jackson, Sr., an honorable veteran, esteemed member of the United States Food and Drug Administration, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and treasured member of the Reston community, died on January 6, 2026; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, William “Bill” Lorenzo Jackson, Sr., enlisted with the United States Army and was stationed in Germany, where he helped fellow Black enlistees succeed in the service by teaching them basic literacy skills; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his leadership, Bill Jackson was selected for the U.S. Army's Officer Candidate School, and he became the second youngest 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the age of 19; and
WHEREAS, Bill Jackson trained as an artillery officer then joined the United Nations' forces in South Korea, where he bravely assisted with the withdrawal of U.S. Marines from the Chosin Reservoir, garnering several combat and theater awards; and
WHEREAS, following his service, Bill Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in zoology at Indiana University and worked for a year as a research assistant in the university's medical department before he was hired as an inspector with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making history as the first Black inspector in the history of the agency; and
WHEREAS, Bill Jackson's distinguished, 36-year career with the FDA took him to Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., as he steadily rose through the ranks before ultimately retiring as the special assistant to the associate commissioner of compliance; and
WHEREAS, in a second career, Bill Jackson served from 1993 to 2010 as a magistrate in Fairfax County, aiding the local court in the timely and effective administration of justice; and
WHEREAS, Bill Jackson was an active and engaged member of the Reston community after relocating to the Washington, D.C., area in 1968 and was recognized for his efforts in support of the community, including as a charter member of what was formerly Reston Interfaith, with a Best of Reston award in 1994; and
WHEREAS, guided by his faith, Bill Jackson enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at United Christian Parish of Reston, where he was ordained as a deacon and served on the governing board; and
WHEREAS, Bill Jackson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary; his children, William, Stephen, and Darrell, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Lorenzo Jackson, Sr., a cherished member of the Reston community whose lifetime of dedication and service made an impact on countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Lorenzo Jackson, Sr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.