Billy Ray Jordan

Clinton

Billy Ray Jordan, (81), of 905 Lakeview Drive, Clinton, died Friday, August 3, 2018.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2018. The Service will be held at Grove Park Baptist Church in Clinton with the Reverend Michael Shook officiating.

Born in Clinton on April 21, 1937, Billy Ray was the son of the late Ransom and Ada Rose Jordan of Clinton. He was a graduate of Clinton High School and attended Campbell College, majoring in business. Upon returning to Clinton in 1958, he along with his father and brother founded and began Jordan Shopping Center, which was Clinton’s first “strip shopping” center located on the outskirts of Clinton, now known as Northeast Boulevard. In 1958, he opened Jordan Feed & Seed offering animal feed, fertilizer, garden and crop seeds. In 1959, along with his wife Janet, they opened Jordan Hardware offering a wide variety of products including paints, appliances, tools, housewares, toys, and Christmas trees, which they operated for 25 years until 1984. In 1964, he became a dealer for the Dixie Chemical Company offering a complete of line fertilizers and farm chemicals to area farmers. In 1985 the fertilizer company name was changed to Jordan Farm Center, which he and his family operated until 1998. From the early 1960’s, he continued the development of Jordan Shopping Center by adding additional buildings and recruiting new businesses to Clinton. Through the years, the shopping center grew and expanded to include over 21 buildings providing retail space for tenants including: Sampson Bakery, White’s Decorating Center, Matthews Drugs, Shoe City, Break-a-Away Fashions, Bradshaw’s Barber Shop, Macks Department Store, Black and Bass, CPA, Sessom’s Jewelry and Clinton’s oldest grocery store which has been in continuous operation since 1963; Piggly Wiggly, now Carlie C’s. As the shopping center continued to grow other regional and national businesses and chain stores were recruited to the community including Hardees, Citi-Trends, Advance Auto Parts, Jackson-Hewitt, US Cellular, Rent-America, Subway and Domino’s Pizza. In 1997, he sold Jordan Shopping Center to Paramount Foods, Inc. Since 1997, he served as the Director of Real Estate for Paramount Foods, Inc., where he oversaw the leasing and day to day operations of two additional shopping centers. Along with his family he also owned and managed Jordan Farms and Jordan Insurance Agency.                                          

He loved his church Grove Park Baptist and was an extremely active member for over 63 years. He served Grove Park in many capacities including: Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Choir Member. He served as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee where he oversaw several capital building projects.

He served in the National Guard for eight years. He was an active member of the community and served on many committees and boards. Most recently he served as a member of the Board of Adjustment for the City of Clinton, and as a member of Sampson County Economic Development Commission. He was an active member of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce for over 58 years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Allen Jordan of Clinton.

Billy Ray loved his career, and he never met a stranger. He loved music, and he loved to travel. He especially loved his family, his extended family, and all of his Myrtle Beach friends.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet McLemore Jordan; two sons, Billy Ray Jordan, Jr. and Seavy Dean Jordan, and wife Nicole. He is also survived by three grandsons, Billy (Bill) Ray Jordan, III, and wife Katlyn; Seavy Dean Jordan, Jr, and Benjamin Hayes Jordan.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 1:00 until 3:00 pm at Grove Park Baptist Church, 609 Northeast Boulevard, Clinton, NC. The family will also receive friends at the home located at 905 Lakeview Drive, Clinton. The Jordan family has entrusted Royal Hall Funeral Home for the arrangements. Burial will be in the Clinton Cemetery following the funeral service.

As an expression of sympathy, it is suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Grove Park Baptist Church Building Fund by calling the Church Office at 910.592.3937 or Terry Cottle at 910.990.7488, or by mail to Grove Park Baptist Church, 609 Northeast Boulevard, Clinton, NC 28328.

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