Born on August 17, 1947, Willie B. Jacobs was a staple in the Jacksonville community throughout his life. Graduating from Stanton Vocational High School as its valedictorian in 1967, Willie would obtain a football scholarship to attend Florida A&M University and play for the legendary Jake Gaither. After graduating with his undergraduate degree in Building Construction. Willie became an integral part of FAMU history though, as a member of the final graduating class to receive training in this area of expertise at the university. A major aspect of his considerable training being architectural drafting by hand, as his education preceded the advent of computer-aided design – a masterful skill set which would distinguish him among his colleagues in the future. Willie would go on to become an administrator at Gainesville High School and obtain his Masters Degree from the University of Florida in the field of Education Administration & Supervision.

Committed to building construction, Willie would become a licensed building contractor and start his own building construction company, Brankol Enterprises, Inc. – which specialized in design, renovation and remodeling services. As President of Brankol Enterprises, Willie was a leader in the field of construction. He was a member of the NE Florida Builders Association and Florida Association of Home Inspectors. Due to his utter love of building construction and design, as well as teaching and mentoring, Willie facilitated the City of Jacksonville Youth Build Program in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, serving as an instructor. He established contracts with the City of Jacksonville, renovating several homes in the historic Springfield area near downtown Jacksonville. In addition, Willie developed the plan, construction budget and lot pricing for the proposed forty-one-unit subdivision known as Smith Pointe, located on the northside of Jacksonville, FL.

After retiring in 2012, Willie would begin showing signs of the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but even with this incurable illness, he never let his commitment to making an impact on his community and those around him waver as he remained active in his church home and participated in multiple Alzheimer’s walks every year until 2021 when his illness prevented him from doing so. Willie passed on May 11, 2022 at 7:57AM leaving behind a wife of almost 49yrs, four children (all of whom he ensured completed college), four grandchildren and an abundance of family, friends, fraternity brothers and coworkers. It was through his decades of contributions to his community the family of Willie in partnership with the BAA have created this scholarship fund to provide funding to students majoring in the field of Construction/Engineering, so that they too, much like he and his daughter Karla (whom obtained her Construction Engineering degree from UNF) can live out their dreams.

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