Wilbur Lee Jones was born November 1, 1927, in Seattle, Washington. He died in Oak Harbor on December 24, 2024, at the age of 97.
Will attended Franklin High School in Seattle. He enlisted in the United State Navy at the age of 17 in 1945 toward the end of World War II. After obtaining his high school diploma and receiving instruction in engineering, he taught engineering for six months in the Navy before being honorably discharged. He then attended the University of Washington on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in engineering. He later obtained a Master’s degree in engineering from Seattle University. After graduation from the UW, Will was employed by Hughes Aircraft, and later went to work for Boeing, where he remained until his retirement in 1983.
Will married Jane McRae Lovejoy on Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 1951. During their marriage, Will and Jane lived in Seattle, Spokane, Southern California, and later in the home they commissioned in Edmonds. They had three children, Paul, Elizabeth and Caroline.
Will and Jane built a home on Jane’s historic Lovejoy property on Penn Cove in Coupeville, and moved there following Will’s retirement. They later moved to a home on Pennington Hill in Coupeville. After his retirement, Will served for a time on the Coupeville Town Council and later as Mayor of Coupeville. During their marriage, Will and Jane attended church at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oak Harbor, and the United Methodist Church in Coupeville.
An only child, Will was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Chester Jones and Caroline Rosina Haag, and his wife of 66 years, Jane McRae Lovejoy Jones. He is survived by his children, Paul Jones and his wife Leila of Dover, Delaware, Elizabeth Hancock and her husband Alan of Coupeville, and Caroline Morse and her husband Mike of Coupeville. Will is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, Leah Jones and her children, Kai and Elle; Calista (Jones) Williams, her husband Nicholas, and their sons, Jackson and Jameson; Benjamin Hancock, his wife Wendy, and their sons, Terrence and Silas; Emily Hancock and her husband, Josh Kensok; and Bonnie (Morse) Haupt, her husband Alex, and their daughter, Jane.
Will resided at Regency on Whidbey for several years, and shortly before his death was served by Whidbey Health Hospice. Both provided wonderful care.
Will is buried next to Jane at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville.