William T. “Bill” Jones
Sept. 25, 1938 – Sept. 25, 1938
EMPORIA — William T. “Bill” Jones died Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, at Presbyterian Manor, Emporia. He was 81.
He was born Sept. 25, 1938, in Cecil Cove, Ark., the son of Charles Elliot and May Ana Elizabeth Lamb Jones. Bill’s family moved to Osage City when he was a toddler. He attended Osage City High School and graduated with the class of 1956.
As a young man, Bill spent the summers with his uncle, Tom Lamb and cousins, at Cecil Cove. He worked a short time for his sister and brother-in-law, Wayne and Marie Jones, at Jones Dairy, in Osage City. He also worked at his brother Orbin’s car dealership, in Osage City, before moving on to become a heavy equipment operator. This took him throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, building various road and reservoir projects. Bill would return to Osage City and begin a 15 year career with Hallmark, as a forklift operator, at the Osage City and Leavenworth locations.
Bill married Ida Jo Haag-Swisher Feb. 13, 1993, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Lansing. She preceded him in death.
Bill and Ida Jo entered retirement together in July 1996, and resided in Madison and Olpe. In 2013, they moved to Presbyterian Manor, in Emporia.
Bill was known by “Catfish” to his friends. He loved to fish whether it be with a rod and reel, trot line or noodling. He enjoyed many memorable weekends with his brothers-in-law, nephews and friends at “The Hill.” Eventually his vision would limit his travels and fishing adventures.
Besides his loving wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn Brinkman; his parents; two sisters, Marie “Frankie” Jones and Ava “Casey” Regenold; and three brothers, Earl, Fredrick and Orbin Jones.
Bill will forever live in the hearts and memories of his five children, Lisa Cox and husband, Bill, Madison, James Swisher and wife, Dixie, Inman, Dena Swisher, Auburn, Lonnie Swisher and wife, Nancy, Omaha, Neb., and Benjamin Swisher, Olpe; a son –in-law, Doug Brinkman and wife, Jeri, Parsons; a nephew, Lance Jones and wife, Jeannine, Vassar; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Wayne Jones, Osage City; numerous extended family; and countless dear friends.
Cremation is planned with inurnment at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Olpe. Due to COVID-19 services will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hand In Hand Hospice or Kansas Talking Books Advisory Council, Emporia and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856.
Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.
