William "Billy" Carl Jahn

William was born August 5, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky to Francis Xavier Jahn, Sr. and Mary Augusta Kennedy. Billy was raised in DC and the Maryland Metropolitan areas of Hyattsville and New Carrollton. He was one of five Jahn children. Billy was predeceased by his parents, brothers Francis Jr., Paul (PJ), Sister Carol (Schlegal), her Husband, Dwight Schlegal, and his Nephew, Michael Schlegal. He is survived by his Sister Betty (Bill) Whidden, Sister’s in Law Bet Jahn Sherman, and Brenda Jahn, and his nieces and nephews; Karen (Jim) Cromwell, Patty (Bob) Hogan, Dwight Schlegal, John Schlegal, Frank (Mary) Jahn, Judy (Jeff) Hall, Barbie Frazier Jahn, Paul Jahn (Jennifer), Paula Jahn, Kacey (Balazs) Freeman-Varga, and Daniel Whidden along with many Great Nieces and Nephews.

Billy has always had a love for sports and was the first Basketball Manager at DeMatha Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1959, under legendary Hall of Fame Coach Morgan Wootten. Billy was also known to his friends as an Amateur Horse Racing handicapper who picked many a winner in his day and was a regular at Laurel Race Course during his working days as a cab driver for over 48 years in the Laurel and Metropolitan area. He was once on the cover of the Washington Post Magazine for his handicapping skills and an article about his colorful personality, cab driving notoriety, and general fun-loving personality. Billy made many friends wherever he went, and nobody was a stranger to him. Because of his many years behind the wheel of his cab, he would run into someone he knew just about every time he was out in the community. He had many famous cab passengers to include Red Auerbach, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Muhammad Ali to name a few. The boxing champion had a light blue men's pant suit (very fashionable in that day and time) custom made for Bill complete with white shoes and a white belt. Bill loved to read about politics, Religion, and Sports, along with watching sports of all types on TV.

William Carl Jahn, and his big personality will be sorely missed by his many friends, all the lives he touched upon in his many years serving as a cab driver in our community, and in sharing stories and wonderful conversation with all those he met. Billy will be laid to rest in a private service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD along with his family.

Donations may be made on Billy's behalf to DeMatha Catholic High School Morgan Wootten Scholarship Fund: https://www.dematha.org/alumni/supporting-dematha

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