William L. (Bill) Jones

William Leroy Hill Jones, 92, passed away February 2, 2016, after a long life of service to others.
He was born April 4, 1923 in Wellsville, Utah to William Murray and Elizabeth (Bessie) Stoddard Hill Jones. He married his sweetheart, Lila Rae Clark, on June 12, 1947 in the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bill and Lila spent most of their married lives in River Heights, Utah. Their final years were spent at Pioneer Valley Lodge and Legacy House in Logan, Utah.
Bill’s life was one of service to his family, church, and country. He served three years on active duty with the United States Navy during World War II, and continued in the Navy Reserve on a part-time basis until retirement with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1983. As an active member of the LDS Church, he served as ward clerk in the Logan 13th Ward, as stake clerk for over 15 years in the Mount Logan and Providence Stakes, as branch president of the Utah State University 19th Branch, and as a member of the high council in the Utah State University 2nd Stake.
He attended elementary and junior high school in Wellsville, and graduated from South Cache High School where he was elected student body president his senior year. He also graduated from Seminary in Hyrum, Utah. He completed a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, a M.S. Degree of Science in Physics from Utah State Agriculture College (USU), the Degree of Engineer in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and a PhD Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah.
In 1946, Bill began a teaching career at USU that lasted 39 years. During that time he also worked part time as a member of the staff of the Space Dynamics Laboratory during the last few years of his tenure, retiring as Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering in 1985. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Lila, served a mission for the LDS Church in the Temple Square Mission from 1988-1989. Bill served at the Cache Utah Family History Center (now the Logan Utah Family Search Library) for six years before becoming the Director of the Center for 10 years.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Lila, and they are the parents of six children, two daughters and four sons: Marilyn (Robert) Gutke of Logan, UT, Gary (Anne Ferrin) of North Hollywood, CA, Karen (Joseph) Phillips of Smithfield, UT, Ronald of Salt Lake City, UT, Richard Kim (Stephanie Nelson) of Highland, UT and Dale (Joyce Hurren) of Centerville, UT.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, three sisters, Helen Wilcox, Mary Merrill, and Elizabeth (Betty) Maughan, and great-grandson Jackson Bishop. He is survived by his children and their spouses, by 23 grandchildren, and by 35 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary, located at 34 East Center Street, Logan, UT, on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 11:00 am. Viewings will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at the mortuary from 6-8 pm and prior to the funeral on Monday from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be at the Wellsville City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net . In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that contributions be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the LDS Church.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to all who cared for him over the years.
Bill will be remembered by all who knew him for his love of learning, his kind and gentle nature, and his optimism and patience.