William “Bill” Jones age 78, of Newton, Illinois, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Funeral services celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at New Beginnings Church, Newton, Illinois with Pastor Tom Matson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 4th and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services, Saturday, at New Beginnings Church. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites being conducted by Jasper Post No. 20 of the American Legion.
Crain Funeral Home, Newton is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Bill was born on June 2, 1948, in DeKalb, Illinois, the son of Wesley and Bernadine (Boyd) Jones. Bill married Cathy Johnson on August 7, 1981. She survives.
Following high school, Bill was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds as a pitcher in 1968. Due to an injury, his professional career ended before he got to play. He then volunteered his service to the U.S. Army from 1968 – 1972. During his time in service, Bill played for the Army Softball Team.
After his time in service, Bill attended college, earning his teaching degree. He taught and coached at Martinsville, Paris and Jasper Unit No. 1. In addition to teaching and coaching, he maintained the Jasper County Boys’ and Girls’ Park for many years.
Bill loved to play fast pitch softball in the local area. He, together with Rick Rucker formed a semi-pro baseball team. Throughout the years, Bill was awarded many honors, MVP (1966), a 10-0 record and an ERA of 0.68 for Oblong High School. He proudly coached the N.C.H.S. Baseball Team, where they earned the title of Regional Champions in ’84, ’85, ’88, ’92, ’95 and ’99. He coached the Newton Central State team in 1992 and led the team to the Apollo Champion title in 1997, where he was also awarded the Apollo Conference Coach award.
In addition to baseball, Bill coached girls’ basketball at N.C.H.S. from ’78-’82. He coached many talented high school girls, including his sister-in-law, Cindy Johnson. Bill loved sports and spent his career dedicated to coaching.
His memberships include the New Beginnings Church, where he was baptized, Jasper Post No. 20 of the American Legion, V.F.W. Post No. 7537, Moose Lodge and the Jasper County Retired Teachers’ Association.
In his free time, Bill enjoyed a good game of golf and poker and loved to go fishing. He loved baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan.
Bill will be loved and forever remembered by his wife Cathy Jones of Newton; his children, Billy Jones of Newton and Nicole Jones of Las Vegas and his grand daughter Tessa Jones who was Papa’s girl; his brother, Randy (Julie) Jones; sisters, Carol (Charley) Earlewine, Tammie Mayhood, and Jamie (Alan) Mendenhall; father-in-law, Paul Johnson; sister-in-law Cindy Johnson (Jessica Daniels), brother-in-law, Steve (Shelly) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, Wes and Bernadine Jones, brother, Mark Wesley Jones, mother-in-law, Elnora Johnson, grandparents, Everrett and Mary Jones and Aaron and Rosette Boyd and brother-in-law Mike Mayhood preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the N.C.H.S. Baseball Team, c/o N.C.H.S., 201 West End Ave., Newton, Illinois 62448
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
