William S. Jones' Obituary
William S. “Bill” Jones, born William Craig Savidge, Jr., died at his home in Tavares, FL on August 29, 2010 at the age of 87. Bill was proudly known as a “farm boy” from South Jersey, a soldier, a loving husband and a devoted father. He excelled at all of the above. Due to severely hard times in 1922, Bill was given up by his biological mother and was adopted by Edwin & Emma Jones of NJ. He married Bettie Clark Goslin of Woodstown, NJ and from that union they had one daughter, Judith Linda Jones. Bettie predeceased him in 1990. He married his second wife, Nancy Murray of Newark, DE in 1991; who had two daughters, Julie A. Keppel of Newark, DE and Alexis A. Albert of Eustis, FL. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Tavares, FL; all three daughters, grandchildren, Jessica K. Golembrosky, Amanda H. Keppel, Lindsey L. Lavender, PFC Colton J. Puckett, USMC and PFC Henry C. Puckett, USMC and four great grandchildren; sisters, Marion Yocum of FL, Esther Conklin of NJ and several half siblings. Bill enlisted in the Army on December 9, 1941 and served his country with the utmost dedication, having fought in four major campaigns with the 7th Infantry Division during the battles of Attu Island, Kwajelein, Leyte, and was wounded the seventh and last time going onto the beach at Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Service medals. Bill served with the NJ National Guard and retired as a Major. After his service, Bill was employed by the Chrysler Corporation and M & G Convoy, both of Newark, DE. In the year of 2000 at the age of eighty, Bill returned to the scene of his first battle on Attu Island, Alaska where he became a part of a documentary entitled “Cradle of Storms”. He returned again to Attu Island, in 2003 where he was featured in a full length documentary entitled “Red, White, Black and Blue”, which was one of the highlights of his life. The story had never been told as a result of a media blackout. Bill heard from several hundred of his comrades who were thrilled to talk and correspond with him. He passed many happy hours in this manner. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Bill’s memory to the Mary Campbell Center, 4641 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 where his daughter Judy resides.Graveside services were held on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at Lawnside Cemetery, Route 40 and Route 45, Pilesgrove/Woodstown, NJ. H.T. Layton & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Woodstown, NJ 856-769-1515. Arrangements were entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 East Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares, FL 34778. Please leave a condolence through our online guestbook, for the family below!
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