William Branham Jones (Bill) died Jan. 26, 2023, at his home in Boulder, Colo. He was 91. Born in Spring Hill, Tenn., on Sept. 24, 1931, to James Harding Jones and Myra Hume Jones, Bill was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, James H. Jones Jr. and Alfred Hume Jones. After graduating with a B.A. in mathematics from Jacksonville State Teachers College in Jacksonville, Ala., Bill entered graduate school at Vanderbilt University. In 1955 he received an M.A. in mathematics and decided to continue for a Ph.D. During his years at Vanderbilt University, Bill met Martha Hadley, an undergraduate majoring in English, and the couple married Aug. 27, 1956, in Denver, Colo., Martha's hometown. They returned to Nashville for Bill to continue working on his Ph.D. and as a mathematics instructor, while Martha taught English and Tennessee history at East Junior High School. In June 1958, a month before the birth of their first child, Bill and Martha moved to Boulder and Bill accepted a position in the Central Radio Propagation Laboratory at National Bureau of Standards in Boulder and later joined the faculty at the University of Colorado-Boulder Department of Mathematics, where he continued until his retirement in December 1996. He served as chair of the CU-Boulder Mathematics Department from 1987 to 1990, during which time he contributed to the conception and design of the new mathematics building, the Mathematics Module program, and the Center for Number Theory. From 1990 until 2015, he edited the Mathematics Department newsletter, Prime Bits, and was instrumental in establishing an endowment in the University of Colorado Foundation for the Mathematics Department Kempner Colloquium series. Bill is survived by his wife and their five children, Kathleen (Marty Reibold), Anne Holmes (Frank), Robert, Kevin (Marianna) and Bethany; and three grandchildren, Robin Reibold, Samuel Holmes and Helen Holmes. A celebration of life service will be held at the First Congregational Church Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions in Bill's memory be made to the University of Colorado-Boulder Department of Mathematics (giving.cu. edu/fund/mathematics-department-fund), Tru Hospice or First Congregational Church Bequest Fund. Crist Mortuary is handling arrangements and a full obituary may be found at https://www.dignit ymemorial.com/obituar ies/boulder-co/william-jones-11124472

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Published by The Daily Camera from Feb. 1 to Feb. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Jones

Sponsored by Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park.

5 Entries

Bob Johnk

October 9, 2023

I just learned that Professor Jones passed away last January, and I am very saddened by this news. My condolences to Professor Jones' family and may God comfort them.

I knew Professor Jones while I was working on my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at CU during the 1980's. I took a graduate math course from him and he was on my thesis committee. I have to say that he was a terrific teacher and educator. He was also such a nice, kind, and compassionate person. He always gave of himself and really liked his students. I remember that he invited his class over to his house for a backyard BBQ; and, to this day, I remember that special gathering. He treated his students with respect which made him a very special person. He was also a man of deep conviction and very accomplished. I really respected him.

The world is less of a place without him and I will always cherish the time I spent with him during my graduate school days at CU. I am so glad that I crossed paths with him. Professor Jones is in a much better place now and may he rest in peace.

Susan MacKenzie

February 25, 2023

Knew Bill and Martha through their church as my father-in-law was their long time minister in the 70's, 80's, 90's. They were both wonderful people and am saddened to see this Obit but know he had a good life.

Gordon Brown

February 4, 2023

I have wonderful memories of Bill and what he did for our Department.

Gordon Brown

Nancy and Jim Sugden

February 1, 2023

What great memories we have of you Bill and Martha. Singing with you in the church choir and enjoying great parties in your back yard. Bill was a kind and funny man. Always warm and welcoming to everyone. Jim and I send such love to you and your family Martha. We will hold our memories of you both close to our heart.

Amy Chu

January 31, 2023

God bless my friend who have lost the very persona of good cheer.

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