Billy “Bill” Marion Jones, 74, of Poteau, OK passed away Monday, December 19, 2011 in Fort Smith, AR. Bill was born February 3, 1937 in Houston, TX to Marion E. & Ruth (Spencer) Jones. Bill was a minister, pastor, missionary to Ivory Coast for 10 years, editor of “Heartbeat” missions magazine in Nashville, TN, President of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College in Moore, OK for 8 years, Director of Oklahoma Missions for 2 years, he served on the Foreign Mission Board for 26 years, professor of Theology at the college, Senior Adult pastor Poteau FWB Church
Preceded in death by his sisters, Cindy & husband Buddy Vance, Dale “Pudgy” Sawyer.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Joy of the home; son, Steven M. Jones of Los Angeles, CA;
Brother, Jim O. Jones and wife, Wilma of College Station, TX; sister, Jane Duke and husband, Jim of Raleigh, NC; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Services will be 10 am, Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Poteau, OK with Revs. Keith Burden, Clint Morgan, Jim Cook and Barry Reel officiating. Interment will be Steep Hollow Cemetery in Bryan, TX.
The family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 pm Wednesday evening to visit with relatives & friends.