William Kenneth Jackson

Bill Jackson passed on Thanksgiving morning in his home on his favorite red couch, with his wife Meighen at his side, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 76. Bill was a master photographer whose work has been collected and exhibited widely, most recently in a major exhibition at the Marshall M. Fredericks Museum near Saginaw. But Bill was a latecomer to the world of fine arts photography. As he recently explained,"My photography is sparse. Some images offer dramatic encounters. Others invite exploration and contemplation. But they all say no more than necessary. I got there by going everywhere else first."That "Everywhere" actually included laying cement, delivering lamb, grinding axles, insurance adjusting, archiving sculptor Tony Smith's papers (for the Smithsonian Institution), writing ad copy (the list continues) while making his way through Monteith College at Wayne State University (Class of 1967). For almost 20 years after graduation, he served as an Adult Protective Care Officer for the State of Michigan. It was during this time that Bill ‘s apartment slowly morphed into a photography studio and library where he began honing his craft. In the late 80's he broke free of his home studio and job to establish Bill Jackson Photography, which specialized in digital automotive and advertising. Initially in Detroit, he later moved his studio to Troy. Bill retired from commercial work in 2008, packed away his commercial gear and hit the road with his wife Meighen to travel the world with a "camera over my the shoulder." His travels produced prize-winning shots and led to national representation by Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York. Bill and Meighen Jackson were married for almost 30 years and enjoyed a great love, and a rich artistic collaboration, which was celebrated last spring by their inclusion in the Symbiosis exhibit at the Detroit Artists Market. The show highlighted artistic couples and how their relationships enriched their work. In addition to Meighen, he is survived by his sister, Darlene Holmes, Nieces ; Michelle McIndoe and Jennifer Powner. Cousins; Renee Ogden, Melissa Kolinski and Christen Pietraz. Visitation Wednesday 2-8 pm with Funeral Services Thursday at 2 pm at the Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home 23690 Woodward Ave. www.wesselsandwilk.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Gleaners Community Food Bank detvol@gcfb.org or Penrickton Center for Blind Children http://penrickton.com--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bill Jackson obituary MJ meighen jackson

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