HAINES CITY - James William "Bill" Jordan, 79, of Haines City, passed away at Kindred Hospital in Tampa on March 15 from respiratory failure.

Born in Jacksonville, Fl, on August 10, 1930, he moved from Terra Ceia, FL, to Polk County at age two and was a life-long resident of Haines City. After graduating from Haines City High School in 1948, he served as a helicopter mechanic in Pensacola and Lake Hurst, NJ, in the US Navy for four years during the Korean War.  He was an Independent Insurance agent at Dan Townsend and Associates for 38 years before his retirement in 1994.  He was active in the Haines City community and was a past president of the HC Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, and Sertoma.  He and his wife owned and operated Plowden Apartments in Winter Haven.  During his later years, he was employed by NorthRidge Christian Academy, where he loved working with the students and was fondly known as "Mr. Bill"  He enjoyed working in his yard, relaxing at his cabin in the North Georgia mountains, and spending time with his family and friends.  A Baptist, he was an active member NorthRidge Church, where he was a deacon and loved serving others in the name of his Lord Jesus Christ.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Carolyn Jordan and brother Ralph S. Jordan.  He is survived by his wife of more than 57 years, Cherrie Plowden Jordan; his daughter Wendi Jordan (Harry) Wooddell of Haines City; grandson Andrew James Wooddell of Haines City; aunt Sue Strickland Hyer of  Winter Haven; nieces Linda Jordan (Ron) Hall of Augusta, GA, and Crystal Plowden (Thomas) Williams of Davenport; nephews James William (Buddy) Jordan of Polk City and Hamp (Diane) Plowden of Haines City; and numerous cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 20, at 11:00 a.m. at NorthRidge Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery in Winter Haven.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to NorthRidge Christian Academy, 2250 State Road 17 South, Haines City, Fl 33844 

Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family via: oakridgefuneralcare.com