William McKinley Jordan was born in Reelsboro, North Carolina January 21,1923. He was the 5th of 11 children of David and Lily Francis Jordan. On January 25, 2026 William transitioned at the Grand Rehabilitation Nursing Facility in Great Neck New York. He was 103 years old.

Like most African American children of the 1920's William walked to school with his brothers and sisters, 3 miles each way. William attended a one room school house, which means you had grades 1-6 in 1 room. William enlisted into the Navy on July 10, 1941 with permission from his father because he was 17. He served on the USS Cincinnati, a cruiser, the USS Dinnerbola, the USS accord, both transporters, and also a destroyer, DD 609, where his rank was a Steward 1st class. While he was in the Navy he visited Puerto Rico, Brazil, Rhode Island, Cuba, and Barbados. William left the Navy in 1954.

After returning to North Carolina for a while he then went to Philadelphia where his oldest brother David lived. Together they learned how to work a machine that made cement blocks.

In 1957 William went to New Rochelle, New York, where he was a private chauffeur for a multi millionaire family where he had his own private entrance, a 24 Inch TV screen, bathroom and 2 rooms.

In 1958 he came to New York City, lived in Jamaica, Queens and then Brooklyn. He married Margie Redish on June 17, 1959. She transitioned on May 10, 2020. They were married for 61 years. His first son Keith was born December 24, 1960.William and Margie moved from Brooklyn and purchased a house in 1963 in Jamaica, Queens where William lived until being admitted into the rehab facility in late November of 2025.

While working for a cleaning company owned by two gentlemen, Frankie and Lou in Brooklyn, they had their second son, Robert on November 28, 1964. William started working for the Post Office in 1967 and retired in 1988. William joined Rush Temple A.M.E Zion Church in Jamaica Queens in 1965 became the Chairman of the Trustee board in the 70’s for 4 years, And is still a member of Rush Temple to this day. He also joined the Mason lodge call “The Beacon Light Lodge # 76” in 1978. He became the Wishful Master for 3 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Lily Francis Jordan, brothers David Jr., Isiah, Leroy, Robert, Elmore, and Jerry. Sisters Hattie Mae, Roberta, and Hula Mae. William was respected and admired by all who knew, met and had a conversation with him if only for a moment. He leaves to cherish his memory his sister Carrie Gaines (Elizabeth), his children, Keith Jordan (Montserrat Correa Jordan) and Robert Jordan (Latoya Jordan); Four beloved grandchildren, Kenneth, Maya, Emerson and Ellison, along with plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of people who embraced William for his warmth for humanity and God.

 

Celebration of Life Services are as follows:

Viewing: Saturday, February 14, 2026 11::00 am to 12:30 pm at Hamilton's Funeral Home

Service: Saturday, February 14, 2026 1:00 pm

Westview Memorial Gardens

7850 Bells Highway 

Ruffin , South Carolina 29475

 

Please Keep the family in your prayers.

 Please leave the family a note of Condolence, light a candle of remembrance, or order a floral remembrance piece.  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:1-4