1925-2022
William (Bill) C. Jones, Jr. died peacefully at the age of 97 on August 29, 2022 due to complications from Alzheimer’s. Born in Phoenix, Arizona on June 2, 1925, Bill later moved with his family to Hollywood, California, then to the Bay Area when he was in high school.
Upon graduating from Berkeley High School in 1943, Bill immediately entered the Coast Guard in service to his country during WWII. He was a Machinist’s Mate Second Class on the USS Arthur Middleton, assigned to the Philippine and Hawaiian Islands area of the Pacific. While on battle duty he endured shrapnel in his foot from the fighting overhead, and ultimately received a Purple Heart for his service. He also served on the USS Pocatello where he helped bring it back to the mainland. After the war ended, Bill was honorably discharged in 1946, and later married Sue DiRienzo in 1948. After a few years, they moved to El Cerrito to raise their two children.
Bill was very friendly and kind to everyone and had a strong desire to be of service and assistance to others. He worked in a gas station after the war, and later purchased his own neighborhood grocery store in Albany. When he sold the store, Bill and a partner purchased the Mobil Oil Service Station at the El Cerrito Plaza, where they built a big clientele. He sold it after many years, and purchased the Plaza Texaco Station nearby. He became well-known for his friendly business style and positive customer-service attitude by many residents throughout the region. Bill sold the Texaco Station, after a six-day a week grind, and retired in 1988, which allowed him to spend more time with his grandkids, meet new friends, and travel.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Sue, in 1988, after 40 years of marriage. He is survived by his children, Bill Jones III (Gail), and Nancy Matson (Brian); 2 grandchildren, Chris Jones and Haley Olmstead (James); and 2 great-grandchildren, Lily and Connor.
Bill’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Priority Care Home 2 in El Sobrante, specifically, Agnes, Tony, and others who provided loving and supportive care and attention the last several years of our Dad’s life. We are truly grateful for their patience and understanding of his dementia and other medical issues. We additionally thank the VA Home Based Primary Care Program for providing quality health care in the last year of Bill’s life, as well as Vitas Hospice Services these last few months.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Funeral Center, 2540 Church Lane, San Pablo, 94806. Chapel will open at 10:30 a.m.
