Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Annie May Jones; his in-laws, Alvin and Mildred Baird; two brothers, Charley Joe Jones and Ray Oce Jones; two nephews, Ray Jones and Josef Hausler; one niece, Eydie Hausler; brothers-in-law Alvin “Scooter” Baird, Jack Weldon Baird, and Robert Waller; and sisters-in-law Jan Hausler, Sue Blake, and Opal Waller.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Ann Jones; his daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Allan Hodgson; his grandson, Clayton Graef; his step-grandson, Zach Hodgson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill dedicated 37 years of his life to teaching, 33 of those years at DeKalb High School, where he taught Agriculture classes. His passion for teaching was contagious, and the students he taught—and all those who passed through DeKalb High School—meant the world to him. His commitment to education and his caring spirit left a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues alike.
Bill will be remembered for his faith, his love for his family, and his love for teaching.
Services to honor Bill’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in De Kalb, Texas, with Reverend Doug Wintermute officiating. Interment will follow at Savannah Cemetery in Avery, Texas.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas.
Online registration is available at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.
com.
