William Eugene Jones

William Eugene Jones — Bill to those who knew him — was born on October 13, 1947, in Osceola, Iowa, to David Ellsworth Jones and Viola Faye Jones (née Simmerman). He grew up in the small town of Van Wert, Iowa, surrounded by a large and close-knit extended family that shaped his warmth, his love of people, and his belief in the power of community. He passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, in Celebration, Florida, at the age of 78.

Bill was a lifelong educator — not merely by profession, but by calling. He pursued his passion for learning at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University), earned his Master's degree from Lincoln College, and completed his Specialist degree at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). His career in education spanned decades and touched countless lives across Missouri and Iowa. He began as a teacher in La Monte, Missouri, before moving to teach in Eldon, Missouri, and later serving as Elementary Principal in Newell, Iowa. He then moved the family to Vandalia, Missouri, and later to Macks Creek, Missouri, where he wore many hats over the years — high school principal, guidance counselor, and ultimately superintendent. After his sons Michael and Matthew graduated, Bill and his wife Shirley moved to Mendon, Missouri, where he served as Superintendent of the Northwestern R-1 School District until his retirement. He later settled in Marceline, Missouri, and in March 2026, made the move to Celebration, Florida, to be close to his son Michael and his family.

Bill's life was full of the things he loved most: family, adventure, and connection. He and his family, and later with friends, made many memorable multi-state road trips, exploring the country together with infectious enthusiasm. He was a man who could talk to anyone and genuinely meant it, and someone who stayed in touch — through phone calls and emails — with friends and colleagues from every chapter of his life. If you needed a hand, Bill was already reaching out before you had to ask. He was also a devoted card player, a loving prankster, and had an early interest in all aspects of technology.

He believed deeply in education and curiosity, investing in computers when they were new and unfamiliar, nurturing his sons' interests in computers, space and the arts, and watching with pride as his grandchildren grew into families of their own. He had a particular weakness for ice cream and milkshakes, and could almost always be found with a piece of candy — a habit he cheerfully justified by noting that his blood sugar medicine made it all even out.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 29 years, Shirley Jo Jones (née Collins), who passed away on April 19, 1999; his father, David Ellsworth Jones, on July 27, 2000; his mother, Viola Faye Jones, on March 2, 2022; and his brother, Jerry Jones, on May 6, 2026.

He is survived by his sons Michael Jones (wife Carrie) of Celebration, Florida, Matthew Jones (wife Lisa) of Ozark, Missouri, and his beloved honorary son Alberto De Pablo Tosar of Spain, who spent a formative year with Bill, Shirley, and Matthew as a high school exchange student and remained family ever since. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sarah Sullivan Jones, Colby Wilcox (wife Gabrielle, daughter Presley) and Alisa Wivel (husband Nick, sons Kaiden and Parker). He is further mourned by his niece and nephew, Jered Jones and his family, and Tammy Klemmer (husband Matt, children Lukas and Zoey).

Bill is also survived and mourned by his cherished companion Edna Shoemaker, with whom he traveled widely and shared in the joy of her family. He is remembered fondly by Edna's son Josh (wife Megan), and the family of her late daughter Jamie Saale (husband Jeff), who passed away on September 26, 2025, and by Edna's grandchildren Benten, Carson, Hudson, and Emerson.

Funeral arrangements are pending, with services and memorials to be announced at a later date. Bill will be laid to rest beside his beloved Shirley in Van Wert, Iowa — the small town where his story began.