William Ashley Jordan Jr. (“Billy”) was born in 1955 to William Ashley Jordan Sr. and Hester Evelyn Smith Jordan. Luckily, I was one of four children, but was the only boy born in this family. I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, where he attended Donaldson Elementary, League Junior High School, and Wade Hampton High School.
In 1973, I attended Montreat-Anderson Junior College, in Black Mountain, North Carolina on a soccer scholarship. However, since I was an avid Clemson Tiger since birth, I transferred to Clemson University in 1974. I tried to play soccer there, but the Tiger soccer team was too good. It contended for a national championship. I joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. A friend in my fraternity suggested I try out for the cheerleading team. I took that advice, and cheered for Clemson in 1975 and 1976. I am a member of the Block C Club, and Tiger Brotherhood. In 1977, I graduated with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. I thought I wanted to be a park ranger, because I am also an avid lifelong hunter and fisherman.
In 1977, I left South Carolina with all my worldly belongings, and moved to Massachusetts to contemplate what to do with his life. I enrolled in Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1978, thinking that I would fish, hunt, and teach philosophy. After working in Boston inner-city churches, I applied to law school at the University of South Carolina and enrolled in 1980. During law school, I was very fortunate to work for some great lawyers and politicians, including Rex Carter, Bob Sheheen, both of them Speakers of the SC House. I also worked for the House Judiciary Committee, during SC Congressional Reapportionment. I also was fortunate to work for the McNair Law Firm and Terrell Glenn, former US attorney, and Randall T. Bell, who became one of the first judges appointed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
In 1983, I was hired by the Honorable Falcon B. Hawkins, Chief United States District Judge for