Bill Jones

Coach Bill Jones, 72, passed away peacefully at Glenwood Rehabilitation and Convalescent Center on the August 19, 2008, with his loving wife by his side.
Bill Jones was a decorated athlete and coach, a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather who brought a smile to everyone he encountered. He will be missed by all.
The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Northwood United Methodist Church, Florence, where he was a member for 34 years, at 11 a.m. Friday, August 22, 2008, with Pastor Peter G. Hawker Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Park. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Annie Jones.
Coach Jones is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 51 years, Joan Smith Jones; daughter, Pamela Jones Tyner and husband, Kevin; sister, Dean Jones Curl; sons, Kembrel Jones, Rex Jones and wife, Leslie; grandchildren, Barrett, Harrison and Walker Jones, Katherine, Chase and Cannon Tyner; in-laws, Tommy and Martha Smith, of Athens, Gloria Smith, of Tuscumbia, Troy and Jean Barnett, of Florence, Jamie and Gayle Smith, of Lexington, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Coach Jones was born May 12, 1936, in Lauderdale County. After graduating from Lexington High School, he earned a basketball scholarship to Florence State College, now the University of North Alabama. A successful collegiate athletic career encouraged him to follow his passion into coaching.
His dedication, focus, and his complete understanding of the game of basketball led him to success at Lauderdale County High School, Opelika High School, Marion Military Institute and the University of Montevallo. In 1974, he became head basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of North Alabama, and the Lion basketball fortunes went to a new level. In 14 seasons, Jones led UNA to six NCAA Tournament appearances and four trips to the Final Four, including an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1979. UNA was the first college or university in the state to win a basketball national championship and is one of just four Division II programs to have won more than one Division II basketball championship. Jones led UNA to Gulf South Conference championships in 1977, 1981 and 1984 and GSC Tournament titles in 1981, 1984 and 1988. He led UNA to NCAA Tournaments in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984 and 1986, with his teams winning regional crowns in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1984. Under Jones, UNA went to the Final Four in 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1984. In 14 of his seasons, Jones led his UNA squads to a combined 165-37 home record at Flowers Hall for an 81.7 winning percentage.
Pallbearers will be Gary Elliott, Billy Gamble, Mike Lane, Maurice Stafford, Buck Williams, Bobby Montgomery and Herschel Rithmire.
Honorary pallbearers are Troy Barnett, Bob Kephart and Dr. Danny McFall.
Memorials in honor of Coach Jones may be made to the "Bill Jones Family Scholarship," University of North Alabama, Office of Advancement, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632, or to Northwood Methodist Church, 1129 Wills Avenue, Florence, AL 35630.
Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.