William Jones

On May 7th William Jones of Columbiana passed away at The Essex House in Salem. His passing was peaceful and in the company of family, and ended years of dealing with challenging medical issues.

He was born in 1924 in a home on Meridian Rd, on the west side of Youngstown, where he was raised with two older sisters. His father was a foreman in the steel mills through the depression years and his mother a registered nurse. He attended Chaney High School where he was active in almost everything the school afforded, was elected to a variety of positions in his class, played on the football team and was a captain of the high school baseball team, graduating with special recognition. Graduating in 1943 he did what so many young men of his generation did and enlisted in the army, actually refusing to accept a medical deferment that would have kept him out of the service. Once enlisted he tested into a program that the army had in place at the time and was enrolled in college, but events on the European continent following the D-Day landings prompted the military to remove those men and ship them to Europe. He was thus in the body of men that pushed into Bastogne following the Battle of the Bulge and was close to the front as it moved through Europe and into Germany right to the end of the war. Like so many of that time he was very reluctant to talk about what he saw and was put through in those years. He always maintained that the true heroes were still over there and shunned any attention or recognition for his service.

Returning home after the war he enrolled in The Ohio State University on the GI bill, graduating in 1951 and marrying Joan Guthridge, who would be with him for the rest of his life. They settled in Columbiana soon after, where he was to practice Optometry for almost 50 years, raising a son, Thomas, and three daughters Megan, Carolyn and Elizabeth. Throughout those years he and his wife were active members of the community, he being a lifelong member of the Columbiana Rotary, a member and leader of the Salem and Youngstown chapters of Barbershop, lending his smooth baritone voice and love of singing to an organization he loved deeply, and was one of the few 50 year members of the Salem Country Club, golf being another lifelong passion. He was a great sponsor and donor to many civic activities and believed very strongly in supporting local businesses and causes. All through his career he worked constantly to keep up with developments in his field, to be able to bring the best and latest to his patients, attending seminars, reading and studying, his vocation being a true source of pride and satisfaction to him. He held everyone who walked through his office door in high esteem and all throughout his life spoke with true affection about the people and families he knew in and around the area. He felt very affected by the triumphs and tragedies he was witness to over the years, and always felt a deep connection with the community. He remained in contact with people he knew throughout his life and looked forward to any chance to visit with the many friends he'd made over the years. His high school class continues to meet yearly for dinner and fellowship. He always expressed how honored and blessed he felt for all the good things he had and never complained about the bad that he dealt with. He overcame much that was negative and never hesitated to offer help when it was needed. He was an inspiration to many and dependable and honest to a fault. He always had a ready smile and never hesitated to welcome friends and family into his home. He truly cared about all around him. The world lost a good and honest soul in his passing and he will be missed.

His memory will remain alive with a wife, a son, three daughters, three granddaughters and four grandsons. His family has chosen to forego a service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com