William Jones

William 'Bill' C. Jones MURRIETA -- William 'Bill' C. Jones passed away peacefully at home Saturday, September 3, 2011. He was surrounded by members of his family as he went home to be with the Lord. Bill was born on November 28, 1918 in Hilton, Okla. He was one of eight children born to Alfred and Mittie Jones. The family moved to Texas when Bill was a baby. After his schooling, he worked for Mach Taylor, a wholesale pharmaceutical company. Bill served the country he loved as a member of the 160th Infantry in the Asian-Pacific Campaign during WWII. As platoon guide and squad leader, he led his platoon during scouting and reconnaissance missions. Bill received numerous decorations including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After completing his service to the country, he married Evalee Harbour on August 20, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas, and worked for Southwestern Drug. In 1960, Bill and Evalee along with their two children moved to Santa Barbara, California where Bill worked as operations manager for Brunswig Pharmaceutical. Bill and his family were active members of the First Assembly of God Church where he served on the board of deacons. Bill, Evalee and their daughter relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1970, where they owned and operated Heidi Pies. The restaurant was a tremendous success, and was frequented by visiting actors and actresses, the UNM Lobos and fans, and many in the community. They attended Highland Assembly of God Church. Bill retired and later moved to California, settling in Murrieta in 1991. He and Evalee have been active members of Rancho Community Church in Temecula. Bill's commitment to the Lord and love for his family was recognized by all who knew him. He was a perfect 'Southern Gentleman' with a quick-witted sense of humor. Bill loved worshiping the Lord and spent hours listening to Gaither gospel music. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and six of his siblings: Robert 'Keetah' Jones, Woodrow 'Cotton' Jones, Oleta Borg, Lillian 'Dochin' Baldwin, Jack Jones and Joy Ree White. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Evalee; son, Gary of Chico, Calif.; daughter,, Brenda and son-in-law, Ernest Freeman of Murrieta, Calif.; granddaughter, Kara Jones and husband, Monte and their children, Trevor and Lauren, of Murrieta; granddaughter, Erin Swenson of Ghana, West Africa; granddaughter, Emily Jones and her children, Kyle, Kieran and Jasiah, of Chico; and grandson, Evan Jones of Oroville, Calif.; his sister, Bobbie Jean Bryant of Wichita Falls, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at England Family Mortuary in Temecula on Thursday, September 8, 2011. The viewing will be at 9:30, with the service beginning at 10:30; interment will follow at the Riverside National Cemetery.