William Dickerson (Dick) Jordan, of Florence died peacefully Monday, October 7 with his family at his side. He was 80 years of age. There will be a visitation at the First United Methodist Church from 2:00-4:00 Friday, October 11, followed by the funeral at 4:00.
Born March 1, 1944, in Huntsville, AL, Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Barksdale and Jesse Dickerson Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Libby Jordan, and children Bill Jordan (Marianna) and Laura Llevat (Eric), grandchildren Will Jordan, Matt Jordan, Charlotte Llevat, and Jordan Llevat. He is also survived by his brother Dale Jordan, sister Anne Allen (Jack), step-children Coby Kutcher (Andres) and Stephen Watts (Jessica) step-grandchildren Winston Kutcher, Elizabeth Kutcher, Emma Grace Watts and multiple nieces and nephews.
Dick graduated from Coffee High School in 1962, and Auburn University in 1966 where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He served in the National Guard and was Vice-President of M.J. Carter Insurance where he spent his entire career.
Dick Jordan helped govern the City of Florence beginning in 1979 serving as one of the three City Commissioners prior to the current 6 council seat local government. After this he served as Councilman for District 2, Council President and interim Mayor following the death of his friend and colleague Eddie Frost. Dick was an integral part of Florence’s advancement to become the unique city we have today. He was especially proud of his work in the downtown historic district – with streetscaping and the beautification of downtown, the creation of the Florence Harbor, the Florence Indian Mound Museum, the acquisition and restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House and the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.
Dick considered himself honored to have been in the position to help make decisions that affected all the citizens of Florence. His life was consumed by the city he loved so much. Through chairing the City’s Finance Committee for decades, ensuring Florence remained strong fiscally, to implementing the many zoning and policy decisions for the City, and long term planning, Dick was instrumental in keeping the character of Florence while being progressive for its future. Perhaps the most important being the creation of a partnership with Dr. David Bronner of RSA for an economic stimulus in the Marriott Shoals and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail when he was Mayor. Dick served the City of Florence faithfully for 38 years.
A member and officer in numerous civic and non-profit organizations over the years, Dick loved to participate in ways to improve the quality of life for others. He was a marathon runner and avid outdoorsman. Hot days and cold days, wet days and dry days – there was never a bad day for fishing with his friends and family.
Dick was quietly passionate about his faith, never missing early morning devotionals. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church but would find himself participating in Bible studies and gatherings in many religious affiliations.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the YMCA for its Rock Steady Boxing Class for Parkinson’s.
