William Jones

William “Bill” Jones, age 82, our dear husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away May 12, 2015 at his home in Kimberly, Idaho. At the time of his passing he was attended by his loving wife and children. Dad was born May 1, 1933 in Roundup, Montana to Shirley Irene Kilby and John Thomas Jones, the 4th of 5 children. His spent his childhood years in Roundup MT, Three Forks MT, Wallace ID, a short time in Washington state, and finally Blackfoot, Idaho. His fondest childhood memories were of entire summers spent camping and fishing with his family. As a young man he joined the Navy and served in the Korean War. He met his sweetheart JoAnn Bartausky, on a blind date while on leave. They dated by mail and eloped after his discharge from the Navy. They were married on July 12, 1956 in Elko, NV. She was the love of his life; they were married for 58 happy years. Their first home was in Blackfoot ID, where they started their family. In 1963 they settled in Twin Falls and made the Magic Valley their home. Bill had several trades, but spent most of his life driving truck for Eddy’s Bakery, PIE Freight, and Consolidated Freight. After retirement, Bill and JoAnn turned their antique hobby into a successful business. They ran Backdoor Antiques for 25 years. He was very skilled in refinishing furniture and created many beautiful pieces. They made many friends and traveled extensively during this period of their lives together. Dad loved the outdoors. Most summer weekends of our childhood were spent camping and having fun together; family vacations were always camping and fishing at the Blackfoot Reservoir. He spent many fall weekends deer hunting with his son Mike. In younger years Dad and Mom enjoyed riding with their motorcycle club; in later years they took up ATV riding and relaxing in the mountains. The grandchildren have many fond memories of Grandpa Jones including: motorcycle rides, feeding the sheep at Ernie’s, fishing at the Blackfoot Reservoir, candy in his lunch bucket, taking off his boots, dancing for him when he was trying to watch TV, playing soccer, hot chocolate and marshmallows, getting “whiskered”, flipping his suspenders, pineapple juice and 7-up, helping with the antiques, deer hunting, and Grandma and Grandpa holding hands. Bill and JoAnn were the parents of two children: Marilyn Rigby (Dale), Fruit Heights UT; and Michael B. (Tracie), Twin Falls ID. They have 6 grandchildren: John Ryan, Jed Matthew, Tyler Michael, Megan Irene, Arika Lynn, and Shannon Ruth; and 4 great grandchildren: Sam, Ben, Elaina, and Aubrey. His parents, Shirley Irene Kilby and John Thomas Jones, and his siblings Anita Joy, Troy Neil, and Marilyn Ruth preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Audrey Jean Ely. Family and friends will be received at Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls, ID on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 10:00-11:00 AM; a graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM at the Rock Springs Veterans Cemetery in Hansen ID.