March 18th, 1953 - January 4th, 2024
It is with a mixture of grief and gratitude that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Jones, Jr., on January 4, 2024, at the age of 70, son of the late William (Bill) Jones, Sr. and Helen Isobel Jones (Borland). His passing comes after a well-fought, 5-year battle with multiple myeloma (an incurable form of cancer). He was a pillar of strength and determination right to the end, and passed peacefully, surrounded by love. We feel grief that he is gone too soon, but gratitude that we got to have him at all. To know Bill, was to know that he was a character, always ready with a joke and a mischievous glint in his eye. He looked for the positives in people, and built his life around faith, family and community.
Bill grew up in Midland, Ontario, on the Jones’ Dairy Farm, with his siblings, John, Nancy, Randy and Barb, and his parents Isobel and Bill Sr. There was never a shortage of shenanigans or adventure, with friends and family, on the farm, and he cherished those memories throughout his life. Especially these last weeks in hospital, reminiscing with his siblings and old friends.
While Bill lived in Midland, one could generally find him at the farm helping his father, at the local arena playing or coaching hockey, or courtside/pitchside, cheering (loudly), at his daughters’ basketball, volleyball and soccer games. He was known for his backyard rink-making skills, inventing many iterations of his own zamboni, and inviting his hockey teams and neighbourhood children over to enjoy the ice.
The rink-building continued when he moved to Schomberg, Ontario, with his wife, Charlene, but now he had a bigger backyard to play with, so he created proper boards, “stadium” seating and professional lighting. He also took it upon himself to build and maintain a rink on the local pond, for the enjoyment of all. For which he earned a community-building award from the Town of Schomberg.
Beyond his hobby of rink-building, he made a successful career for himself within the food industry, specifically in the areas of quality assurance, purchasing and procurement. Having grown up on a farm, his interest in food and agriculture came naturally, and he paired that together with his scientific mind and insatiable curiosity, to constantly improve and refine systems and strategies, resulting in better quality products and more efficient operations. He was a natural leader and worked hard to ensure that everyone felt like they were part of the team. His 50-year career included roles at Pillsbury, Unilever, Embassy Flavours and Taste of Nature, and resulted in many long-lasting friendships.
Bill also felt extremely blessed to have been part of the Christian community at both Grace Church, and New City Church, where he found a spiritual family that he was able to form deep, faith-based connections with. He found his faith at the midpoint of his life, thanks to Charlene, and made up for time by immersing himself in the teachings and actively working to apply them to his life. He was committed and dedicated to his relationship with God, and his faith brought him guidance and great comfort throughout his life, especially as he neared the end. He felt no fear, knowing that he was transitioning to everlasting life.
Bill is survived by his wife of 25-years, Charlene, and their daughter, Takara. His daughters Lindsay (David) and Heather (Christian), his 3 grandchildren, Parker, Mélina and Maëlle, son of the late Bill and Isobel, siblings, John (Pat), Nancy, predeceased (Ross), Randy (Mary), Barb (Brent), his mother-in-law, Betty, his numerous nieces and nephews, and former spouse, Donna.
A Celebration of Life will be held at New City Church (1110 Stellar Drive, Newmarket) on Thursday, January 11, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a Service at 12:30 p.m., all are welcome to join the family for a reception in the church hall following the service. A burial and graveside ceremony will be held the in the spring at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, in Wyebridge, Ontario, the date and time will be announced in May.
We welcome all family and friends to celebrate his life with us. Bill has made a special request that, where possible, guests wear their favourite hockey jersey, in his honour. If you don’t have a hockey jersey, please feel free to wear something colourful, as he was adamant that this is a celebratory time as well because he has gone home to be with his Lord and Saviour.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket. The care and compassion that he (and Bill’s family) received there, from the staff and volunteers, was second to none, and it will be remembered forever.
Click Here to Donate to the Margaret Bahen Hospice
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”
Arrangements entrusted to Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home