HARRINGTON - William (Bill) Robert Jones passed away Sept. 20, 2018 at Kent General Hospital after a short illness. Born Nov. 12, 1939 in Clarion, Pa.
Bill was an extremely gifted mechanic and he started honing his skills at his Father's Oliver Tractor dealership in Belleville, Pa.
In 1959 he married his high school sweetheart and took up residency in Harrisburg, Pa. working directly for the Oliver Farm Equipment Corporate Headquarters in Harrisburg as well.
Eventually, he was assigned the Delmarva Peninsula as his management district and in 1965 moved to Delmar. In Delmar, he served the Delmar Volunteer Fire Department and is a past Fire Chief. Bill also began a love affair with the lower Chesapeake Bay spending most weekends enjoying boating with his family.
Oliver sold their assets to the White Machinery Corporation and in lieu of leaving the Eastern Shore, Bill moved his family to Smyrna in 1970 and became Vice President of Clements Supply Company in Clayton, a John Deere Dealership. In Smyrna, Bill and his family continued to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay but this time it was the upper Bay portion. Waterfowl hunting became another passion Bill enjoyed becoming involved in Ducks Unlimited.
Bill purchased a farmstead on Greenspring Road in Smyrna in 1976 and traded his boating and hunting for developing their land growing a 5-acre vegetable "garden" and an 5-acre peach orchard.
Bill excelled in the Farming Community becoming a trusted friend to the local farmers. He served as the President of the Delmarva Farming Association in 1977.
With every high, there is a low and in Sept. 1978, Bill suffered a life changing immune system disease and battled that set back until 1980. With his physical set back behind him, Bill went into the Chainsaw, Lawn and Garden and farm implement sales/service business operating as William R. Jones and Sons.
In 1990, Bill closed his shop and went to work for Tilcon Delaware Inc. where he managed the Tarburton Sand & Gravel location in Dover.
During this time, Bill and Judy enjoyed camping on most weekends and after retiring in 2006 Bill and Judy left Delaware to live in Elkins, W.Va.
The West Virginia people and mountains reminded them both of their childhood homes. Bill and Judy enjoyed a rich and happy life in West Virginia until they succumbed to family wishes and moved back to Delaware in 2013 taking up residency in Harrington.
Bill worked in his shop, cut his grass, sat on his porch, enjoyed NASCAR and W.Va. football. He also enjoyed his grand kids and was thrilled to be a two-time Great Granddad until he became ill.
He was the son of the late Bernard Frederick and Agnus Bernice (Cook) Jones.
Bill was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Tracy Lee Jones; and a sister, Joann Moore. He is survived by his wife, Judy Lee (Hetrick) Jones of 59 years; two sons, Kevin Robert Jones and his wife, Carol, and Rodney Alan Jones and his wife, Roberta; two sisters, Judy Schalles and Phyllis Palm; three grandsons, Derek C. Jones and wife, Lori, Brent A. Jones, and Dylan C. Jones; and a granddaughter, Brooke Ellen Jones; and two great-granddaughters, Bliss Carley Jones and Ella Jade Jones; and three nieces and five nephews.
Memorial services will be Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, 12 p.m. and family and friends may call one hour before time of the service at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to your local SPCA.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com