Billy Joe Jordan –
“Papa” –
March 10, 1935 - January 19, 2016

“If ever there comes a day where we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

On January 19, 2016, Billy Joe Jordan passed peacefully at home in Rio Dell at the age of 80, surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by siblings Melba, Mary Ellen and Loren “Bud” Jordan, his loving wife, Lillie Jordan, his daughter, Shelia Martin, his son-in-law, Larry Martin, and his granddaughter, Brooke Martin, among numerous nieces, nephews and extended family, whom he so cherished.

Papa was born in Louisiana on March 10, 1935 to Hattie and Joe Jordan. His family moved to California when he was eight. He graduated from Fortuna Union High School in 1953, where he earned his High School Diploma and went on to serve in the US Army and executed his tour in Munich, Germany alongside good friend, E. Cordeiro (who has often mentioned that he would not have made it out alive if it were not for Papa).

After his return from service, he married his wife, Lillie Perrin and began working for the Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia as a Lumber Grader. Papa worked and lived in the town of Scotia for 42 years until his retirement in 2000. Even after he retired, Papa found it difficult to settle down. Always willing to lend a hand and ensure the job was done right, you could find him completing any daily chore from washing cars to doing yard work and even climbing the scaffolding to paint his daughter and son-in-law’s home. To him, the work wasn’t a chore. He loved being there to help in any way he could. Papa will always be remembered as a loving, generous, strong and hard working family man that desired nothing but happiness for those he held so dear.

As a resident of one of the last company owned towns in America – Scotia – Papa frequently entered and won town gardening competitions and was highly acclaimed for his beautiful rose bushes, rhododendrons, azaleas and manicured lawns. He also had a knack for detailing cars and would ensure that enough Armor All was applied to the leather upholstery of his cars that on sharp turns, when seated on the back bench seat, you were guaranteed to be sent sliding across the car.

Papa was also a very social individual and loved running into people he knew from the mill and community as well as gathering the family for dinner or watching the Rams or Dodgers game — much to the playful protest of his granddaughter and son- in-law, Giants fans.

Papa built a life for himself and the family that he loved and that his family may look back upon with a wealth of happy memories that will be treasured for an eternity.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Fortuna, where many friends and family members were in attendance. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Humboldt at 2010 Myrtle Ave., Eureka, CA 95501.

The family would especially like to thank Papa’s niece, Susan Dazzi, for her efforts and love that she provided in ensuring his comfort during rehabilitation.

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The obituary above was submitted by Billie Joe Jordan’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.