Wilson R. Jerman
Cite this Page
"Wilson R. Jerman," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1056.
- Positions
- Houseman
- Butler
- Years in President's House
- 1957 – 1993
- 2003 – 2012
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Wilson Roosevelt Jerman was born on January 21, 1929 in Seaboard, North Carolina. In 1955, he moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as a caterer, primarily in Georgetown. (1) In 1957, he began working at the White House as a cleaner or houseman. (2) His friend and White House Butler Eugene Allen encouraged him to apply. (3) During John F. Kennedy’s presidency, Jerman was promoted to butler. According to Jerman’s daughter, he received the promotion because of a friendship with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who vouched for him. Jerman remained in that position until 1993 when he retired, though he returned to work at the White House again in 2003 under President George W. Bush. In this later stage of his career, Jerman worked as an elevator operator and Maitre D’. Jerman retired again in 2012, this time permanently. (4)
Jerman served at the White House under eleven presidents. “The presidents were beautiful, just beautiful to work for,” remarked Jerman, “We [White House domestic staff] took such pride in our work.” (5) Conversely, first families regarded Jerman highly. When he passed away on May 16, 2020, various former presidents and first ladies praised Jerman for his service and kindness while working at the White House. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush noted: “He was the first person we saw in the morning when we left the residence,and the last person we saw each night when we returned,” while First Lady Michelle Obama remarked: “With his kindness and care, Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home.” (6) - (1) Michael Levenson, “Wilson Jerman, Longtime White House Butler, Dies at 91,” New York Times, May 21, 2020.
(2) Wil Haygood, “Wilson Jerman,” Washington Post, May 21, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/21/wilson-jerman-witnessed-it-all-his-50-plus-years-white-house/
(3) Doha Madani and Janell Ross, “Former White House Employee who Served 11 Presidents Dies of Coronavirus at 91,” Today, May 20, 2020, https://www.today.com/health/former-white-house-employee-who-served-11-presidents-dies-coronavirus-t182191.
(4) Michael Levenson, “Wilson Jerman, Longtime White House Butler, Dies at 91,” New York Times, May 21, 2020.
(5) Wil Haygood, “Wilson Jerman,” Washington Post, May 21, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/21/wilson-jerman-witnessed-it-all-his-50-plus-years-white-house.
(6) Doha Madani and Janell Ross, “Former White House Employee who Served 11 Presidents Dies of Coronavirus at 91,” Today, May 20, 2020, https://www.today.com/health/former-white-house-employee-who-served-11-presidents-dies-coronavirus-t182191; Chandeliers Duster, “Former White House Butler who Served 11 Presidents Dies after Contracting Coronavirus,” CNN, May 21, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/politics/wilson-roosevelt-jerman-trnd/. - Birthplace
- Seaboard, North Carolina, USA
- Related Association Content
- https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-working-white-house-early-21st-century