William Jefferson Obituary

Will
I will never forget you buddy. You are truly the best of the best. It was an absolute honor to serve with you.

Four years gone, and it still feels like it's been just last month. I miss knowing that you're out there doing what you love, and that you still had dreams unrealized. I can only be proud of the man you became, and grateful that I got to share my childhood with you. Although, I'm also sure you've been told to put the cigar out more than enough times in that place where heroes go.

March 22, 2012
To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson:
Please accept my remembrance of William on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

WJ
You will never be forgotten. The Mighty 21 STS will be at your Camp tomorrow to give a reminder of why we are all here. Your friendship, honor and mentorship will always be in our hearts. Camp Jefferson Kandahar, Afghanistan has the Airmen and the Power to unleash on the enemy.
Miss you Brother!

As a retired Combat Controller, I was often drawn to visit the Combat Control School at Pope. I would generally see Will there, busy preparing for classroom duties. Although I did not know him well, we often spoke and I could tell he was a dedicated to his calling. Other instructors often spoke of his skills and ambitions. He is missed by his professional family.

Rest in Peace Will.

I think of you EVERY day. I love and miss you with all my heart. If I could I would have changed this in a second. Love you ALWAYS.

To the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson:
Remembering William on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family of Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.

Your name came up today - and I wanted you to know you are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

Though I never met Will, I know the kind of man he was because he was a CCTer .. and I know your pain. My heart and prayers go out to you. God bless you.

I had an excellent opportunity to meet this fine gentleman, warrior, and patriot on a few occasions while being medic to Will and other fine Controllers to different locations. I know he is missed deeply by family, his own family, and the CCT family. Lord, thank-you for allowing me to share in Wills life if but for a short time.

Rich (Doc) Matlock
43rd AES Pope AFB (1996-2001)

Another 9/11 comes, and I'm reminded of the best Patriot I ever knew. Oorah Will. I'm really hoping there's no monkey bars in Heaven.

To the family and friends of Sgt. Jefferson, the Junior Girl Scout Troop #668 of Coloinial Coast will be honoring his sacrifice for our freedom ( along with others)in the upcoming Vetern's Day Parade November 11 2009.

Will was a good man. We did quite a few JFEXs together at Ft Bragg and worked together in Afghanistan back in 2007. He was truly a quiet professional and his loss is felt.

DG

To the family of Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson:
William gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Will, just wanted to say hello and let you know I was thinking about you today. Hoo-yah team. Bull

Not a day goes by that i don't think about you Bubba. I keep asking if I'd of just followed your lead and let your inspiration guide me as it did you, would the Lord still have taken you home, both of us, or would the situation have been averted all together. We'll never have those answers though I guess. I miss you man. Semper Fi.

TSgt. Jefferson and I attended the NCOA at Gunter together. I was the class leader and he was one of my flight sergeants. His professionalism and can do attitude was an inspiration to us all.

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

We thank TSgt Jefferson for his dedication and sacrifice. Our sympathies go out to the family and friends. I surely miss working and playing poker with you. Trust me when I say you are truley missed!

TSgt Jefferson went to the NCO Academy with my wife, where he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate. Now, while I am currently at the NCO Academy, I am honoring Will in the "Run for the Fallen" event on August 24, 2008. I am running for you Brother and I know you will be there running beside me. From one veteran to another, thank you.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Jefferson family and friends in the loss of William I did not know William, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. William you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS
OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IS NEVER TO DIE"
~Robert Orr~

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Tech Sgt Jefferson and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

Thank You Willie You Are And Aways Will Be Our HERO... Don't Worry About Kris And Those Lil Ones They Will Be Takeing Care Of... Just Keep Smileing Down On Us And Help Us With Each Passing Day Until The Day We Are With You Again... Rest In Peace Willie "OUR HERO"...

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. Our group is making and giving a numbered quilt to the immediate family of each soldier killed in the Iraq War with ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have a website at www.vmqp.com if you get a chance to see the quilts. We have sent 101 quilts as of this date. Please contact me via email or phone at 804-379-3817 and I will get the information from you so we can send you a Memorial Quilt in honor of William.
Thank you.
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
2621 Linbrook Drive
Richmond, VA 23228

[email protected]

To the family of William Jefferson, Jr.
Im am sorry for the lost of a great soldier and Instructor. Sgt. Jefferson was one of my instructors at CCT School. And he will be missed.

To the Family of TSgt. Jefferson, Jr.
I didn't know your son but I wanted to thank you for his service to his country. Your son proved that "Freedom Isn't Free". I wonder if at some point, I drove by him or maybe saw him walking at Ft. Bragg and not having any idea that I would never see him again. Nothing that I say will ease your pain, but please know that as an American, TSgt. Jefferson has my utmost respect and appreciation for his service. His smile will never go away.

I am sorry and heartbroken at the loss of your beloved soldier. I pray God will be with you on this sad journey.

The mother of
Sergeant Matthew Hatfield
82nd Airborne

To the family of William Jefferson, Jr.
On behalf of the family of Staff Sgt. William R. Neil, Jr. please accept our heartfelt condolences. My brother was killed in the same explosion that claimed William's life. Our families are blessed to have spent time with such true patriots and great guys. May God comfort your family and ours and continue to watch over our troops who are keeping America safe and free for everyone.

To the family of TSgt William Jefferson,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. I fully understand your pain. My brother was also CCT who was KIA 3/4/02 in Afghanistan. You have so many who support and love you. Thank you for giving us William, for however short a time. Thank you for your sacrifice and I thank him for his. STS is a special family made up of very special people. God bless you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To the family and parents of William I want you to know that you are not alone in the grief you are feeling. I too know what you are going through and what you will go through in the coming weeks and months ahead. You will have many question as to why? You will have many things to get ready or go through and that should be done in time. Sometimes it just can’t be faced and that’s ok, for you will know when the time is right for you. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve, it’s an individual journey that unfortunately we now have to take. I ask that God give the comfort, strength and courage that you are going to need. When and if the time is right for you please contact me. You can cry, vent, or just talk as only another person who has been where you are can really know what you are going through. May God continue to be with you and heal you.

In memory of my son
Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III
KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq
82nd Airborne 2-505th PIR

Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

Father we entrust our brother William to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold William in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

Tyler

I am sorry for you. I prayed for you and I will miss seeing you at school.

We extend our prayer to you and your family at this time. We are grateful that your love one thought enough of us, to serve and protect us. Doing so, the ultimate price was paid. And for this, we say, "THANK YOU, WARRIOR. We will forever be grateful. We may not remember all the names one by one, but we will remember the warriors. All that paid the price, that we, could be free.

My brother and I will always remember Willie from our years together on the swim team. His kindness, honesty, and the funny way he would say, "I know" will always remain in our memories. We will never forget him.

Rest in peace, sir; your service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

Kristy,Tammy,Linda.and Haywood,

There is no way to know the pain that you are feeling and the sadness in your hearts. Except to know that Willie is in a better place where there is no more fighting and no more pain.
May God and your Friends help you thru this difficult time.
Friends,
Judy & John Dix

I was so saddened to hear that another STS was taken. My heart goes out to the family and friends and my prayers are with you all. May God give you comfort at this time and may Bill rest in peace. I wrote in Legacy.Com a bit more.
Love and prayers,

Linda Crate
Mother of Casey J Crate
USAF 23rd STS Silver Team
KIA-Iraq Memorial Day 2005

Our family's hearts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you during this most trying time.

Compadeciendome mucho por vuestra perdida y rogando a Dios por el eterno descanso de William y las fuerzas para vuestra recuperacion.
Siceramente,
Maria del Carmen Martinez

( madre de un companero de William en Lake Taylor High School )

Please accept my condolences for your loss. My wife Maria and son Gabriel and I are saddened by his passing. I remember William as a wonderful and courteous person when he came over our house to see and be with Gabriel. May the Lord Bless all of you.

William was one of my favorite high school friends. He always wore a smile and looked at life with a "half-full" attitude. I will miss William deeply. My prayer for William's family is that God will comfort them during this very difficult time.

William was a precious person. We knew him well when he was a boy growing up good friends with our son, Erick. Rest in peace William

REST IN PEACE TECH. SGT. JEFFERSON, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

I am so sorry for the loss of your brave soldier. He is a hero and will never be forgotten. My son Alex van Aalten was Kia in Sangin Afgh Aprol 20 2007. I know how much it hurts to loose a soldier. You are in my prayers.

To family and friends of Bill: I am truly saddened by the loss of your loved one! Bill, like most service men and women, believed in the fight for freedom and the freedom of those oppressed. He is a true "hero" in my eyes. I know Bill belonged to a very special group of STS warriors. I believe that he was one of my son's instructors going through the pipeline. May he rest in peace and may God give you the strength to endure your loss. That is where I found my strength.

Love and prayers to all of you,

Linda Crate
Mother of Casey Crate
USAF 23rd STS Hurlburt Field, FL.
KIA-Iraq Memorial Day 2005

God Bless the family and friends of our wonderful HERO!
I am so sorry for your loss .
Fly high with the Angels and watch over us.

JG(Navy wife)

Father we entrust our brother William to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold William in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

To the Jefferson family,

I know there are no words to say, except how sorry I am for your loss. May you hold Williams' memory in your heart and please remember he shall never be forgotten.

...For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I’m home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I’m only a civilian
And I don’t even know if it’s allowed.

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

Suzanne MacDaniel
A Proud Aunt
David M.Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 Iraq

I am writing to offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family over the loss of your HERO Tech Sgt William Jefferson. I lost my son in Iraq on May 6/2007, so I can well understand your pain of losing a loved one so dear.

I pray you will be guided by a higher power to give you peace, comfort and strength in this time.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your soldier was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of his service. He will not be forgotten!

(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT /Ft Lewis
KIA 5/6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXAX__FZYg4

Please know that as a mother of a Soldier, I grieve with you; as do so many, many others.

From our military family to yours, we would like to thank Tech Sgt Jefferson for his service and sacrifice to this great country, as well as send our deepest condolences for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and they were protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

I would also like to tell you about a website, http://groups.msn.com/SSPSoldierPor
traits/homepage,
where some wonderful people will make wood portraits of your fallen Hero for free for the immediate family. I became aware of this site when I wanted to do something special for Le Ron’s mother.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett (Queens, NY)

The price Tech Sgt. William Jefferson and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten. Please know how Deeply Sorry I am to learn of the loss of this Brave Young Hero.

May William rest safely now, in the Loving Care of God and may the Peace of God be with the Jefferson family.
There will Never Be Enough Ways to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes for their Sacrifices, my brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

"I consider that our present sufferings.
are not worth comparing with the glory
that shall be revealed in us."
~ Romans 8:18 ~

May you find Peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Grateful Country Will Not Forget William's Sacrifice.
You are in my thoughts and prayers

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008