Funeral Services for William Jackson “Jack” Zorn Jr, age 93 of Lineville, were held on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at Lineville Baptist Church, with Bro. Jerry Colquett and Bro. Ben Curlee officiating. Burial followed at the Lineville (AL) City Cemetery. Mr. Zorn passed away peacefully in his sleep early morning Thursday, December 10, 2020 at his home.
Jack Zorn was born November 12, 1927, in Miami, FL, the first-born son of William Jackson Zorn (Sr) and Claire Rosalie Kulinski. He grew up on his grandfather’s farm in Upson County, GA. He attended Robert E. Lee Institute in Thomaston GA, graduating with the class of 1944. Immediately thereafter, he tested for and was accepted as a Naval Aviation Cadet, and spent the next three years at Swarthmore College, PA, and Naval Air Stations Ottumwa, IA, and Pensacola, FL. But with WWII concluded, and Navy pilots no longer in demand, his Navy time (and his flying career) ended sooner than expected.
In 1948 while working as a chemist for Plantation Pipeline in Bremen, GA, Jack met the absolute love of his life, Wilma Jean Hill, of Bremen. In 1951 he married that girl (“Jeannie”), and they moved to Macon, GA where he completed his education at Mercer University, a degree in Economics (minor in Chemistry).
Upon graduation, Jack accepted a position with Higgins Slacks, Lineville, AL, where the young couple “put down roots”. Jack immediately became active in civic work, serving as two-term President of the Lineville Jaycees and Director of the Alabama Jaycee state organization. He served four terms (16 years) as Councilman for the Town of Lineville.
While a front-office executive and a salesperson, first with Higgins and later other clothing manufacturers, Jack and Wilma together built a successful “side business” of four clothing stores known as Man’s World and Woman’s World. But when the textile and clothing industry began to move offshore, Jack, who was always interested in real estate, turned to lake lot development and sales, endeavors that he would later call “my favorite work”. Around this same time, at age 65, Jack was elected a charter member of the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature. And two years later, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the eight-member Alabama delegation to the National Silver-Haired Congress. He was truly honored.
After multiple successful careers in management and sales (men’s clothing, insurance, and real estate), Jack, well into his 70’s, finally semi-retired. For years he and his Jeannie split time between their home in town and his lifetime dream, a waterfront retreat (on Lake Wedowee). He loved the lake. He loved sitting out on the dock… would spend hours & hours there reading, snoozing, relaxing… and thankfully and happily reflecting on a life and people that he loved. A devout Christian, he was a permanent fixture and lead participant in his church, as a deacon and teacher, for as long as his health allowed.
Jack led a self-proclaimed rich, diverse, and fulfilling life. He will be so missed, and so fondly remembered by so many! A man of true character, integrity, and love for God, his family, his friends… this man of average physical stature and super-human strength and drive, has left some awfully big shoes to fill.
Mr. Zorn is survived by his wife of 69 years, Wilma H. Zorn of Lineville; two sons: William Jackson Zorn III of Brookhaven, GA and Thomas E. Zorn (Judith) of Johns Creek, GA; three grandsons: James Hicks, Michael Hicks, and Connor Zorn; one sister, Elizabeth Beatty (Garritt) of Townville, SC, and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Jackson Zorn Sr. and Claire Kulinski Zorn, and three brothers: Ted Zorn, Aubrey “Jim” Zorn, and Fred Zorn.
