MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — William C. "Bill" Jones, 93, of Morristown, formerly of Harlan County passed away Monday, August 25, 2014, at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital. He was born September 26, 1920 in Decatur, Iowa to the union of Richard Everett and Margaret Jean Jones, After his graduation from the Decatur High School Bill moved from Iowa to Virginia to work in the coal business where he worked in the commissary as a bookkeeper and retail coal salesman.
During World War II Bill saw a commercial by Jimmy Stewart and decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps on June 22, 1942. He reported to aviation school in San Antonio, TX on December 13, 1942. He later became 2nd Lieutenant with the 8th Air Corps-44th Bomb Group as a bombardier. On January 21, 1944 while flying in an attack mission over Neufchatel, France his plane was shot down. The crew parachuted out and Bill was one of his squad that was captured and taken to the POW Camp Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany where he remained until he was liberated on May 13, 1945. Bill was brought back to the United States and discharged on December 15, 1945. During his military career he received several medals with the Purple Heart, POW, ETO Ribbon with Battle Stars among them.
After his discharge, Bill returned to Virginia to work in the coal business. The company later transferred him to their Harlan operation with Peerless Darby Coal Company. Working in Harlan he met the love of his life and future wife, Mildred Jones.
With coal on the decline, Bill began work for Collins Department Stores and transferred to Logan, West Virginia in the management department. While in Logan Bill was very active in the Nighbert Memorial Methodist Church as treasurer and board of trustees. His civic activities included Director of the Logan County Development Corp, Director of the Logan County Community Chest, Chairman of the United Fund Drive and Chairman of the Logan Business Association.
After 35 years of service to the community, Bill moved to Morristown, TN where he lead a very full and active life and was an adored and respected role model for his family, neighborhood and friends.
In addition to his parents Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Mildred Jones; a brother, James Jones; and three sisters, Janice Jones, Jean Jones and Norine Jones.
Survivors include a nephew, Edgar Jones, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Charles M. Jones and wife, Ruth, Verda; two sisters-in-law, Anita Boswell and Arlene Brown, both of Verda; nieces and nephews, David Jones and wife, Connie, Kodak, TN; Theresa Coleman and husband, Benny, Evarts; Roddy Ramsey and wife, Brenda, Richmond; Lira McCreary and husband, Danny, Verda; and Vic Brown and wife, Renee, London.
Also surviving is a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, neighbors and friends whom he loved dearly.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 28, 2014, from 11 AM until the funeral hour at the Verda First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 1 PM with the Reverend Danny McCreary officiating.
Burial will be in the Resthaven Cemetery at Keith.
Pallbearers will be Edgar Jones, David Jones, Benny Coleman, Roddy Ramsey, Vic Brown, Benjy Coleman, Lee Ramsey, Ken Fugate, Scotty McCreary, Chad Smock, James Ramsey,Eddie Jones and B.J. Lefevers.
Military rites will be performed by the Harlan Honor Guard.
Online condolences may be left at www.evartsfuneralhome.com or at www.harlanobits.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Our prayers are with all of you @ this sad time.
Love,
Jimmy & Joyce Murphy & family
August 28, 2014
Gods blessings of peace and comfort for Bill and the family...
RIP Bill/
Bobby Kirby
August 28, 2014
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