William "Bill" Munford Jones was a Pensacola native son who traveled the world before returning to his hometown in 2008 with his dear wife Jolinda "Jo" Graham Jones. Bill was the youngest of four children to John Paul and Elizabeth Jones, and twin to sister Kathryn. In the early 1940s, Bill and his family traveled to Naval facilities in Philadelphia, New York, and Miami while his father completed his military service working on gyro compasses for U.S. Navy ships.

The family enjoyed home life on Brainerd Street, just off 12th Ave., where the four Jones kids learned the local rules. At age 12, Bill worked as a sack boy for Friendly Service Grocery. He later took another job throwing the morning and afternoon papers for the Pensacola News Journal, riding many miles on his bicycle over three years of service. He attended local schools including N.B. Cook, A.V. Clubbs and Pensacola High School, graduating in 1958.  His college education included two years at Pensacola Junior College and later graduating from Florida State University in December, 1962 with a degree in Business. Bill started his Navy career in 1963 as an Aviation Officer Candidate at NAS Pensacola, earning his Ensign bars in June, 1963.  His career as a Naval Aviator started with initial qualification in the T-34 on Saufley Field, then on to Whiting to learn the T-28. He completed his initial training with helicopter qualification.   The Navy took him to Midway Island, a distant base with limited resources. There he learned to fly the Grumman Albatross seaplane as the local helicopters were out of commission.

Bill then assigned to San Diego and Coronado for training on the SH-3A Sea King helicopter and was transferred to HS-8 in preparation for service in the South China Sea and Vietnam. He was a squadron commander for HS-8 while serving aboard the U.S.S Bennington. During active duty, he rescued two downed pilots, and was awarded the Sikorsky Rescue Medal.

Lieutenant William Jones, call sign "Blue Goose", ended his Naval Career in January 1968.

After separating from the Navy, he joined the Hughes Tool Corporation as a helicopter test pilot before going on to join United Airlines in September of 1968.  He rose through the ranks with United and celebrated becoming a Standards Captain in 1995. He retired in September 2000 when he turned 60, and concluded his aviation career as a B-747 Captain. Bill flew nearly 20,000 hours over his flying career, and when asked what his favorite aircraft was, the B-747, full stop.

He lived in Florida, California, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other places before he decided to settle in Colorado. He greatly enjoyed hunting and the outdoor lifestyle, becoming a member and later President of the Denver Chapter of Safari Club International. He took his new bride and great love Jolinda on a honeymoon Safari to east Africa.  Bill and Jo eventually relocated to Pensacola in 2008, enjoying great friends while living in Gulf Breeze and later in downtown Pensacola. In November of 2020, Bill's beloved wife and Kansas Sunflower Jo, passed after a brief illness. Bill loved to help anyone he could, from volunteering with the Optimist Club to helping his elderly neighbors with household projects. He provided transportation to chemotherapy appointments for many members of his community. In Pensacola, his philanthropy became an important part of his life, providing support as a Benefactor to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. He loved children and supported Take Stock in Children, working many hours as a Guardian Ad Litem and big brother/mentor for many vulnerable children. He also supported First Tee and the Gulf Coast Kids House. In recent years, he happened across an angel who also became a close friend. Pastor Sylvia Tisdale of Epps Christian Center and eComfort brought him into an amazing circle of community. They worked together over the last 8 years to provide meals and support for vulnerable and food insecure neighbors. In his final years, he enjoyed membership in the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Group and decided to take up a new musical instrument, the Banjo. He gathered for meals with the ROMEO group and had many wonderful friends. His legacy of giving also includes creation of a Nursing Scholarship at Pensacola State College, the Jo and Bill Jones Scholarship Endowment for Nursing.

Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jolinda; father, John Paul and his mother, Elizabeth Hayes Hoefflin; brothers, John David and Charles.

He is survived by his twin sister, Kathryn Margedant; his sons, William Mullins, Gavin Jones, Colin Jones; his daughter, Meegan Jones; six grandchildren, Christopher Mullins, Jeffrey Mullins, Wyatt Jones, Everette, Jones, Aubrie Jones, and Julianna Mirault; four great-grandchildren, Madelyn Mullins, Liam Mullins, Hudson Mullins, and Amelia Mullins.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 AM until a Funeral Service to begin at 12:30 PM on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pastor Sylvia Tisdale serving as officiant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2:00 PM with military honors being accorded by the US Navy.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Mullins, Colin Jones, John Lesher, Bob Kelly and Terry Cusick.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for donations in Bill's name to E-Comfort, Inc. (Epps Christian Center) or the Gulf Coast Kids House. You can donate at Eppschristiancenter.org or PO Box 1564, Pensacola, Florida 32591. Checks can be made at to Gulf Coast Kids House and sent to 3401 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503.