WILLIAM F. BILL JONES

BILL JONES

RURAL LIBERAL-Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Liberal for William Bill Jones, 86, rural Liberal, who died suddenly on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, as a result of an auto/train accident near Liberal. Burial will be in Worsley Cemetery, southwest of Bronaugh.

Condolences may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Marjorie; his daughters, Leann Barker and husband Bruce, Liberal and Laura Scarlato, Richmond, Texas; three granddaughters, Valerie Barker and David Biggs, Kari Meadows and husband Joe and Remington Scarlato; a grandson, Tanner Scarlato; a great-granddaughter, Kasyn Meadows; a sister, Norma Fox, Edmond, Okla.; stepchildren, Tom and Wilma Crockett, Liberal, Louise and Denny Egbert, Shawnee Mission, Kan. and Kathy and Mike Conduff, Denton, Texas; several nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Jones.

Mr. Jones was born Sept. 23, 1928, on the family farm, northwest of Liberal, to Wilbur Lee and Ethel (Lasley) Jones. He was a country boy who had an infectious grin and never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. To the dismay of his family he was even known to pick up a hitchhiker on occasion, just because he felt badly for them.

Mr. Jones attended a rural school in Vernon County until fourth grade, at which time his family moved back to Barton County and he attended the rural Lone Star School. While attending Lone Star he had one of his aunts, Lucille Lasley Blackman, for a teacher. He was a 1946 graduate of Liberal High School. During his high school years he had the pleasure of having his uncle, Bob Lasley, as his agriculture teacher. The two had a life-long admiration for each other and each would seek advice from time to time, from each other.

Mr. Jones was drafted into the Army in January, 1951, leaving Barton County with several other county boys, who became life-long friends. He also spent time in Germany, again making life-long friends.

He was a true steward of the land, constantly building terraces, grassed waterways and diversions to prevent soil erosion. He served on the very first Barton County Soil and Water Conservation District board when it was organized in 1960. One of the highlights of his stewardship was being named Barton County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1996. He shared this honor with his granddaughter, Valerie, as she was a first place winner of the Conservation FFA Essay Contest that same year.

Mr. Jones farmed his whole life and the last two days of his life were spent in the hay field, baling small square bales. He also worked 36 years for Mackie Clemons Coal Company as a dirt hauler, oiler on the dragline and lastly dragline operator.

He was a member of the Liberal Christian Church, where he served as a deacon and on the church board.

He married Ruby Ruth Hininger on May 9, 1953 and to this union two daughters were born, Leann and Laura. This union later ended in divorce. He married Marjorie Bunton Crockett on April 3, 1971, in Joplin.

He will be greatly missed and was admired and loved by many.