WILLIAM A. JONEZ 1924 - 2012
Bill Jonez, loving husband, father, and grandfather, went to be with the Lord on May 6, 2012 at the age of 87.
Bill was born on June 14, 1924 in Tacoma, Washington, the son of Dr. Hinton and Norma Jonez. He graduated from Stadium High School in 1942, where he excelled on the high school swim team.
On April 5th, 1943, Bill joined the Army Air Force and served our country in World War II where he was stationed in the Pacific Theater. After the war, while attending the University of Puget Sound, Bill met Margaret L. Allen. They were married on June 3, 1949, and settled in Tacoma.
Bill graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1950. As a Medical Technologist, Bill supervised the medical laboratory at Western Clinic for 25 years. Following his retirement from the medical field, Bill started a business distributing Christian books throughout the Puget Sound region. He was also a successful real estate investor and property manager. For years, Bill and his family enjoyed their vacation property located on Vaughn Bay, which later became their retirement residence.
Bill loved to ride his bicycle, fish in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, hike in the Cascade Mountains, and build and fly remote-controlled airplanes. Later in life, Bill became an avid ham radio operator, served as a volunteer radio license examiner, and was elected to the board of the Tacoma Radio Club. He was involved in his church, active in Bible Study Fellowship, and loved spending time with his sons and their families. Dependably, each morning Bill rose early to read the Scriptures and pray for his wife, each of his sons, daughters, and grandchildren by name.
Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret Jonez, along with three sons and their wives: Thomas and Faye Jonez of Gig Harbor, WA, James and Clarice Jonez, of Niwot, CO, and John and Kirsten Jonez of Austin, TX. Bill had five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was most recently a resident of Harbor Place at Cottesmore in Gig Harbor, Washington.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, May 11 at University Place Presbyterian Church at 1:00 pm. Officiating the service will be their beloved pastor, the Reverend Harland Shoop. Guests and visitors are welcome to attend the service and the reception following. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Young Life of North Tacoma.
