William Webster Jackson

William Webster Jackson, 61 SALISBURY, N.C. -- William Webster Jackson, 61, of Salisbury, N.C. and Perry, passed away March 17, 2009, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Wakefield, Mass., Mr. Jackson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bates College in Lewiston in 1970. A week later he married another Batesie, Martha Collier, and together they raised two beautiful children, Emily, 36, and Bryan, 34, in Scarborough. Mr. Jackson was employed by the State of Maine for 27-1/2 years, working with juveniles in the Department of Corrections and later for the Department of Probation and Parole. He created and supervised the Security Treatment Unit, an innovative program for some of the most seriously troubled boys at the Maine Youth Center in South Portland. STU combined a structured behavioral and learning environment with a hand-picked and creative staff and helped many young men become successful adults. After retirement from state service, Mr. Jackson worked for eight years as a Teaching Assistant in his wife's classroom at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish. He proved to be a brilliant math tutor, combining a great rapport with students and a unique ability to reinterpret math concepts so each individual could understand and succeed. He often said that these were his happiest working years because 'the kids always said William Webster Jackson thank you, and meant it, before leaving the classroom.' After retiring in 2006, the Jacksons divided their time between a small house on the ocean way Downeast in Perry and a home in Salisbury, N.C. Mr. Jackson loved bicycling, fly-fishing, fly-tying thousands of his own intricate flies, and especially good times shared with family and friends. He took special joy in his four granddaughters: Rian Trinity, 6; Elizabeth Pippa, 3; Deven Noelle, 2; and Rowan Margaret, 1-1/2. Predeceased by his mother, Virginia, Mr. Jackson leaves behind his father, Webster; his beloved wife, Martha; daughter Emily and her husband James, son Bryan and his wife Sheri; four granddaughters, Rian, Pippa, Deven and Rowan; brother Mark, his wife Karen, and children Jessica and Nathan; and many, many friends. Memorial services will be held later in the spring; and at his request, Mr. Jackson's ashes will be spread among his favorite fishing rivers and in the ocean. Arrangements by Evergreen Cremation Services of Salisbury, N.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Jackson's name to: The Hospitality House 1400 Scott Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina 28203 Bates College 2 Andrews Rd. Lewiston, Maine 04240-6028 or Nature Conservancy of Maine 14 Maine St. Suite 401 Brunswick, Maine 04011