William Jones, Jr.

WILLIAM JONES JR. led an active life. He was intellectually curious with a talent for making things work. He trained vigorously for the many positions he served in. He attended Montgomery College and Maryland Technical Institute schools for mechanical engineering, Maryland Law Enforcement Police Academy, Maryland State Correctional Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Glynco Georgia, Non-Commission Officer Academy Fort Bliss Texas. He also attended classes at Community College Baltimore County and Dundalk Community College. In his early years, William was a member of the United States Army and served in Korea as a Specialist in communications. He is the holder of a Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other awards and commendations. William served with famed Company “E” 2nd Battalion 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division 8th Army. This battalion was an all-Black “Buffalo Soldier” regimen also referred to as Buffalo Rangers unit primarily noted for its action during the Korean War. It was one of the segregated units in the Army. William was recommended to Officer Candidate School. He struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for years and overcame it to live an extraordinary life. The cost of war burdens families and profits the rich and powerful. He was a Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #381, Lifetime Member of the American Legion, an inactive Member of the Masonic Scottish Rite #6 and Member of Arch Social Club. After military service, he joined Maryland State Service. He retired from state service. He joined Federal service where he worked as an officer and engineer for 22 years. He had a total of 50 years of public service, finally retiring from the National Security Agency in 1995. He was commended by Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and Congressmen Cummins and Sarbanes for his long and outstanding service. William was a yachtsman and affectionately known as “Captain Jones”. He was a sports car enthusiast. He worked many hours on his cars and shared the boat with family and friends. He liked to travel. He traveled to Venezuela, Brazil, Italy, Bermuda, and other countries. He followed sports and politics. William enjoyed attending social events and church as long as he was able. William married Coretha Whitaker. Their marriage lasted for 43 years until Coretha Jones passed. A dedicated, loyal, and loving wife and mother, her passing was a great loss to the family. He was a devoted father and cared about the people around him. Surely, he had shortcomings in family and in personal life as we all do, all the same, he consistently strove to be the very best version of himself. He will be greatly missed and remembered. William is survived by his six children, Jackqueline Jones-Johnson, Karen Jones-Richardson, William (Will) Jones, Guy W. Jones, Gil W. Jones and Grant W. Jones. Additionally, he has eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

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William Jones, Jr.

March 7, 1933 - February 23, 2026