- Date Of Birth: April 5, 1933
- Date Of Death: June 22, 2022
- State: Maryland
A Time To Be Born
Elder Deacon William “Bill” Jones, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was born in Florence, Alabama. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Bill moved his family from Dover, Delaware to Bowie, MD.
A Time To Work
In the Air Force, he was able to fulfill his childhood dream of flying, logging over 20,000 hours. He believed that the military helped him develop a sense of community, service and the importance to give back. His other careers included being an executive director of the Kent County Full Day Head Start Program, Chief of the Civilian Employment Division at Andrews Air Force Base, and Deputy Director of the Fair Housing Division within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He eventually moved into the school system as a teacher, a Vice Principal and supervisor of the Junior ROTC Program for Prince George’s County. Bill also ran his own transport business for a period of time. He was able to see most of the world with his military service and was blessed to have worked many different careers.
A Time To Learn
Bill has a Bachelor of Science from Delaware State University, Master of Science in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts, Legal Studies, Antioch School of Law.
A Time To Be Commended
Over the years, Bill received numerous awards including 76th Military Airlift Wing Outstanding Civilian Employee of the Year and the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award.. He was invited to the White House by former President H.W. Bush and presented the National Volunteer “Point of Light” Award. He was also awarded the Merit Award from the United Negro College Fund for assisting deserving students to attend college. He was appointed by Senator Barbara Mikulski to the Academy Advisory Board, which screens and interviews candidates for consideration and appointment to one of the military service academies.
A Time For Ministry
Being an active member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) since 1979 was important to Bill. He served as president of the Education Club (now Ministry). Along with Deacon Earl McJett, he started Boy Scout Troop 1657, and served as first chair of the Troop Committee. Deacon Leon Houston appointed Bill to head the committee to bring Pastor Jenkins as the full-time pastor. Bill proposed and led the first FBCG Men’s Retreat at Summit Lake. He also headed the FBCG Homeless Resident Ministry. He started the annual celebrations of Black History Month and Dr. King’s birthday. He wrote the first financial aid application and started the Financial Aid Banquet. Bill also started the Career Day program at FBCG which has evolved into the annual Expo, and he also started Parents Night Out. Deacon Jones was commissioned by Pastor Jenkins to start a Christian Academy, and served as the first Chairman of SHABACH! Christian Academy Board of Directors. He served as the Assistant Director of the Christian Education Department and served as Director of the Christian Family Group (now Family Life Ministries Department). He was also the first Director of the Leadership Institute.
A Time For Fun, Love & Laughter
As a young man, Bill always had a sharp mind and was also an athlete. He earned a scholarship and competed at the Penn Relays and enjoyed going annually to see the races with his family. He and Jennie loved hosting cookouts and fish fries with family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor; he loved telling jokes and would often start out his conversations and meetings with something funny. Some of his favorite memories were family vacations to South Africa, Zambia, Spain and Costa Rica. He even climbed a volcano and ziplined at age 75! He loved going out to dinner with family and trying new restaurants. Bill loved live jazz and going to the movies. He was always up to try a new breakfast spot, but was a huge fan of Cracker Barrel and it was hard for him to pass one!
A Time To Mourn
Bill is survived by his faithful wife of 58 years, Jennie Lee (Acker) Jones; children Chyrl, Jennifer, Christopher, Linda, Sandra, and Brenda; grandchildren Safiyah, Austin, Tracy, Anthony and Damiso; a host of great grandchildren, loving relatives and friends.
