William Alten Jones

William Alten Jones William Alten Jones, 87, of N6547 Westwind Drive, Fond du Lac, WI, passed away Wednesday May 6, 2009, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, following a long illness. He had lived in Fond du Lac for several years and had resided at St. Francis Home since October of 2008. Dr.Jones was born October 2, 1921 in East Chicago, IN, the only son of Walter A. Jones and Henrietta Jacobi Jones. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in East Chicago and studied the violin at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, IL. He loved classical music and instruments and during his years at the conservatory, learned to play many. Shortly before graduation, he transferred to the University of Indiana, Bloomington, IN, where he received his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Educational Psychology. Professor Jones taught or held administrative positions at several universities in IN, MN, and MI before joining the staff at UW-O in 1970. He retired in 1986. During World War II he served with an anti-tank company in the 355th Regiment of the 89th Infantry Division of the U.S Army as a radio operator and clerk in the U.S., France, Germany, Austria, and England. He enlisted in August 1942, was called to active duty in 1943 and was discharged in 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal, and European Theater Medal among others. A man of wide and diverse interests, Bill loved sailing Lake Winnebago, around Green Bay and Door County, and living in the country. He was devoted to his dogs,cats,donkeys, horses, ponies, goats, and birds. He also liked working in the barn and on the land, especially planting trees and flowers. He was sad when he became ill and had to leave his hobby farm near Eldorado. Bill was passionate about foreign travel, learning Spanish and French, listening to classical music and opera, studying the Bible and classical literature. In his earlier years, he was active in the Oshkosh Power Squadron, Fond du Lac Amateur Radio Club, MARS, Rotary, and Phi Delta Kappa. He was a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul the Apostle. On June 6, 1942 he married Betty M. Norman in East Chicago. They had two children: Janice E. Yore and Paul D. Jones. Betty passed away August 19, 1972. On March 29, 1980 he married Winifred J. Whiting in Oshkosh. Survivors include his wife Winifred of Fond du Lac; his daughter Janice (William) Yore, Coloma, MI; son Paul (Carol) Jones, Renton, WA; grandchildren Marie (Brian) Juengling, Benton Harbor, MI; Robert (Lori) Palmer, Traverse City, MI: Christopher Jones, Renton, WA, Sarah (Aaron) Van Oesterhaut of Haslett, MI, and Rebecca Yore of Mishawaka, IN, step children Catherine (Bradley) Reed, Oshkosh, WI: Barbara Hoffman, N. Fond du Lac, Laura (Richard) Clark, Gurnee, IL, and Michael Whiting, Oshkosh, WI, and great grandchildren Andrew, Joseph, Jonathan and Elizabeth Palmer, Traverse City, MI, and Joshua and Daniel Juengling, Benton Harbor, MI; step grandchildren Ryan Hoffman, Fond du Lac; Catherine Clark, and Christine Clark, Gurnee, IL; step great grandson Nicholas Hoffman, Fond du Lac, his step-mother, Thelma Jones of Indianapolis, IN, and several close church 'family' friends. His parents, first wife, and her parents preceded him in death.



Cremation has taken place, per Bill's request. A funeral Mass will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 55 W. Division St., Fond du Lac, WI on Saturday May 16th at 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10 to 11:00 am at the Cathedral. Inurnment will be next to his first wife at Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh WI at a later date. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home in Fond du Lac is in charge of arrangements. A memorial fund has been established in Dr. Jones' name. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.comThe family wishes to give thanks for God's many blessings and for the loving and compassionate care Bill received from the staff of St. Francis Home, St. Agnes Hospital, the Fond du Lac Dialysis Center, and Staff and members of St. Paul's Church.