JACKSONVILLE, FLA.–William Thomas “Bill” Jones, 93, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on August 23, 2021, after an extensive battle with prostate cancer.
Born July 8, 1928, Bill was the oldest of five children of the late Daniel Olin and Vera Sebree Jones. He was a native of Northumberland County and a product of the Northumberland County School District. He received a bachelor of science in architectural engineering (1950) from Hampton Institute in Hampton.
Bill would often humbly recount upon graduation from college, his first job was working on a produce truck. However, he proudly first established his beloved career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. His first assignment was in the territory of Alaska.
Upon his return from Alaska, Bill married his beloved Mary Kathryn McGlone on August 14, 1953, in Baltimore, Md. The couple traveled overseas upon Bill’s next big assignment in Tehran, Iran. Bill and Kathryn remained married for almost 54 years, until she passed away on March 22, 2007.
During his 23 years with the Corps of Engineers, Bill participated in the design, engineering and management of a range of military construction programs, including housing complexes, hospitals, airfields and intercontinental ballistic missile facilities. In his total of 42 years of service before retirement, Bill spent 10 years with the District of Columbia Government as director of design engineering, Department of General Services.
He was the recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers Award for his role in the design and construction of the Washington Convention Center. After retiring from the federal government, he became an administrator with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) where he was presented WMATA’s Outstanding Achievement Award for his efforts in the promotion of equal opportunities in employment for minorities.
Bill was most fond of spending time with family, particularly when that time was complemented with a good meal! He was a well-loved “team dad” to the many sports teams both his son, Danny, and daughter, Vera, participated in during their upbringing in Prince George’s County, Md., during the 1970s and 80s. He also enjoyed travel, history and storytelling.
A former member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Wicomico Church, Mr. Jones later became a supportive member and steward of the First A.M.E. Church of Palm Coast circa 1995. He also was a longstanding member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. At the age of 90, Bill moved in with Vera; grandson, Andrew; and favorite furry companion, Dexter, while also becoming fond of his new friends at the Oceanway Senior Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
An intelligent, gentle, compassionate and charitable man, with a strong God-fearing spirit, Bill Jones had a zest for life and an infectious smile that left a lasting impression with everyone he met.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; and his twin brothers, David S. and Daniel Jones.
He is survived by his son, James Daniel Jones; daughter, Vera Jones Soleyn; grandchildren, Andrew Veran Soleyn, Shineeta Carroll, Ronald Carroll and Anthony Jones; sister, Mary Jones Day (Robert E. Sr.); brother, John I. Jones (Vashti); brother-in-law, James McGlone (Elsa); sister-in-law, Irene Sharpe (Charles); brother-in-law, Bruce McGlone (Josephine); a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, great grandchildren, and extended family and friends.
A funeral service was held at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 4, pastor Gilliard S. Glover of First AME Church of Palm Coast presiding. A Reflections Hour preceded the official service at 12:30 p.m. Burial followed the funeral at Craig Flagler Palms Memorial Garden at 2:15 p.m.
