James William Jones, Sr. known as Bill Jones was born on April 8, 1920, to James Clark Jones and Ruth Welch Jones. He passed away in Pasco on October 8, 2008. He had two sisters and one brother. He grew up in Friendship, Tennessee and worked hard even as a child on his family's small farm. He left home at age 19 to work as a manager of a meat counter.

In January, 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps and served in New Guinea during World War II. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant while there. He met his life-long companion and best friend, Nan, through her brother Joe. Bill and Nan married on January 26, 1945. She was transferred to Richland to work for Dupont, and he joined her when he was discharged from the service. When their daughter was born, Nan quit working outside the home.

Bill loved to fly and had a pilot's license for five years. He gave up flying when his son was born, and then began working second jobs to help support his family. He also loved to fish and hunt.

Bill and Nan lived in the Tri-Cities off and on for over sixty years. They had a boat and a swimming pool, so summers were spent outside with many great friends boating, waterskiing, swimming and eating. Bill was an amazing cook, so everyone enjoyed eating whatever he made. Every other summer, the family would drive back to Oklahoma and Tennessee to visit relatives. During the other summers, we all traveled with their best friends and families to Washington or Oregon beaches or caravanned to lakes or rivers with our boats.

When his job in Richland ended, he began traveling the country working at different nuclear facilities. He was hired as a manager to help dismantle these facilities. He didn't have the formal education other managers had but gained his knowledge from hands-on work experience and studying. He was well respected in his field.

He lived and worked in Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee and ended up in Las Vegas, Nevada where he finally retired.

In April, 2002, Bill returned to the Tri-Cities and moved into the Tri-City Retirement Inn in Pasco. He loved living there. He had a 'special' chair in the lobby where he drank coffee and visited with anyone that came his way. His hobby was being social with everyone he met. He will be remembered for his kindness and great disposition.

Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Roger Fishback of Richland; his son Jim Jones of Las Vegas, Nevada; his grandchildren Jamie Fishback of Richland, Alyssa and John Kupka of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Lee Jones and Jen of Las Vegas, Nevada; great-grandchildren Tyler Fishback and Makenzie and Makaela Jones; his sister-in-law Sue and Charles Conway of Kennewick and numerous nieces and nephews across the United States.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters, his beloved wife Nan and his beloved granddaughter Dana Fishback.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 10:00 am at Einans Funeral Home, followed by a burial with military honors.