Obituaries must be approved to run by 3 p.m. Monday for the Wednesday edition, or 3 p.m. Wednesday for the Sunday edition. Email to obit@wilcosun.com. Obituaries are $72 and include a close up photo, and up to 250 words. Extra words, or photos can be added for an additional fee.
William Wendelton Jones
William Wendelton Jones, Bill, as he was known, went to be with his friends in Heaven on August 19, 2024. His life will be celebrated with a 10 a.m. Memorial Service at Light of Christ Anglican Church at 302 Serenada Drive in Georgetown, Texas, on Saturday, September 7. Bill died at home with his son and wife by his side. The family appreciates Concho Hearts Hospice and the care that they provided during his last hours.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene, his daughter Paula Jones, her special friend, Karen Ward, of Leander, Texas, his son, Reagan Jones and wife, Abby, and his precious granddaughter Lillian Jones, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvanian, and stepson, Corbin O’Cheskey of Lubbock, Texas. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Donese Mayfield and her husband, Dave of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Bill was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 7, 1945 to Paul A. Jones and Mae Oma Jones. He was a RH baby and he began fighting for his life immediately. His early years were spent happily as an only child growing up in the Highland Park area of Dallas with doting mother and father, grandmother and aunt. His parents divorced when he was about 5, his mother remarried a couple years later and Bill’s stepfather became a very important influence in Bill’s life. His oil business caused the family to move to Shreveport, Louisiana, and Bill enjoyed living on the lake. He also excelled at Kemper Military Academy during his sophomore and junior years. When his stepfather passed away, Bill and his mother moved back to Dallas and he graduated from Highland Park High School. Bill attended college at Texas Tech and graduated from North Texas in Denton after his marriage and his children were born.
He enlisted in the Navel Reserve and proudly served his 6 year commitment. Spending 101 days of active duty for training, he was fully prepared to serve his country. His unit was not called up to go to Viet Nam.
After living in Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo, Taos and, finally, Albuquerque became his home. He worked in banking but soon became the salesman that his personality dictated, working for Xerox, Baxter Labs, Mentor Graphics and Intergraph selling high tech engineering systems to Sandia and Los Alamos Labs. His client friendships made him an outstanding salesman.
He was an avid snow skier and was on the Sandia Peak Volunteer Ski Patrol for several years, usually skiing with his black cowboy hat on.
After a client took Bill and Darlene for a hot air balloon ride, they became part owners of a balloon. Since Bill was already a fixed wing pilot, he was able to quickly train for his private and commercial lighter than air licenses. The part ownership did not give them the opportunities for flying that they loved. So, next came full ownership of a Balloon and shortly thereafter, a contract with Southwest Airlines, to fly the balloon with their banner and passengers. Bill was an excellent pilot, winning the Championship of Texas in 1991 and participation in the several National Balloon Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Middletown, Ohio. The competition at the Albuquerque International Balloon festival was always exciting and he won 13th and a 16th (out of a thousand pilots from all over the world). His ballooning was a very big part of his life and they flew in various places all over the United States for over 22 years. They owned four hot air balloons during this time. Always giving joy to those he encountered and those who flew with him. He was a safe pilot and took great care of his passengers, crew and those he met upon take-of or landings.
Bill was also a talented musician playing both the banjo and guitar. He had a strong voice, a deep Baritone, and would play and sing at church over the years.
He was also an adventurer and he and Darlene sold their home in Albuquerque, bought a fifth wheel, new truck, packed up the dog and the balloon, and traveled for four years. This was a great experience and Bill would proudly say that we had slept in 48 of the 50 states though not always in the fifth wheel.
After flunking retirement, Bill and Darlene moved to Roswell after 9/11 to take care of her mother who had fallen. While Darlene taught Middle School, Bill was a substitute teacher in great demand. His voice commanded a room.
He was a Roswell CASA volunteer for 15 years for abused and neglected children. The children’s court Judges always listened to his advice because they knew he had done his research and was giving voice to the best possible outcomes for the child. He received numerous awards including CASA volunteer of the year, their Lifetime achievement award and served on the board.
For 10 years in Roswell, he was an active member, and board member of the Southeast New Mexico Veterans Transportation Network taking area Veterans to their doctors’ appointments in Albuquerque, Artesia, and Big Spring, Texas. He was responsible for writing the grant to get a large handicapped van and three smaller vans paid for by the State of New Mexico. He was also responsible for getting numerous donations to fund the insurance, fuel and other expenses of the all-volunteer organization.
He was an influential member of the St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and worked in leadership and on numerous committees. He played guitar for services and was a member of the bell choir.
In 2019, Bill, Darlene, and Darlene’s 97 year old mother moved to Sun City to be closer to his daughter. Until Covid, Bill volunteered with Sun City “COP’s” program.
They found their church home at Light of Christ Anglican Church and have enjoyed seeing it grow, spiritually and in size of the congregation.
He was very proud to be one of the 15 charter members who founded the Sun City American Legion Post 228. He then volunteered to be the chaplain of the group. He was also in charge of the “Buddy Call” program that was started.
His fascination with ancestry led him to find out that he was qualified to be a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His application was accepted, he was inducted and he became their chaplain.
Bill has had numerous health challenges over the years and with God’s help, he conquered them all including his cancer in 2021. He is wrapped in God’s arms now and will no longer be in pain.
Bill was truly a man who made an impression when you met him and even more so when you got to know him better. His faith in God was steadfast as was his love for his wife and family. His beard would come and go with the seasons but his mustache was above his lip for 50 years or more.
Bill was a very fun loving, caring and patriotic man who loved his country and its veterans. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to Tunnel to Towers or to another veteran/first responder charity of your choice.