William Bain Jones

ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- Mr. Jones, prominent business man and civic leader, died November 20, 2006. He was born in Badin, NC on November 5, 1924 to the late William Clyde Jones and Nester Ellis Jones. Mr. Jones graduated from the Badin Schools and entered Mars Hill College prior to service in World War II. Mr. Jones served in the United States Army under the command of General George S. Patton in Europe. After World War II, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business. Upon graduation, Mr. Jones returned to Albemarle to begin a career with Lowder Hardware, Inc. Mr. Jones was the vice-president of that company and president of Lowder Supply Company in Thomasville, NC. He later was the owner of the Appliance Center until his retirement in 2001.
Mr. Jones was involved in many professional and civic organizations. He served as the president of the Hardware Association of the Carolinas and was an advisor to Cotter and Company, a national wholesaler of hardware/building supplies. Mr. Jones also served on the Board of Directors of North Carolina Federal Savings and Loan. A long time Rotarian, Mr. Jones served in various capacities, including president, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and was recognized as Young Man of the Year in 1957. Mr. Jones served on the Stanly Count-Montgomery County Morehead Scholarship Selection Committee for 30 years, and was the chair of the committee for 27 years.
An avid golfer, Mr. Jones served twice as president of the Stanly County Country Club. In addition, he was president of the Tar Heel Golf Association and also served on the Board of Directors of High Meadows Country Club, Roaring Gap, NC.
An active member of First Lutheran Church, Mr. Jones served on the church council and the property committee, taught the Men's Sunday School class, served as Sunday School Superintendent and participated in various positions in the Men of the Church. In 2003, the Men of the Church recognized his leadership by establishing the W. Bain Jones Service Award.
Mr. Jones was a very caring man who always had a positive, optimistic outlook which instilled hope in others. He lived his life in a caring, humble manner and his gentle spirit touched all who knew him. He loved Stanly County and North Carolina, and took pride in contributing to the community.
Mr. Jones is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marie Hurlocker Jones; his sons and daughters-in-law, W. Bain Jones, Jr. and Elizabeth Lindley Jones of Raleigh, Stuart M. Jones and Margaret Green Jones of Charlotte; grandchildren, Lindley Marie Jones, Katharine Elizabeth Hall Jones, Stuart M. Jones, Jr., Elliott Alexander Jones, Preston Davis Jones and William Cameron Jones; his sisters, Doris Jones Redwine of Columbia, SC and Janette Jones Watson of Badin; sisters-in-law, Margaret Hurlocker McGee of Asheville, Martha Hurlocker Bledsoe of Charlotte, Gretchen Philbeck Jones of Memphis, TN; six nieces; and eight nephews. He was predeceased by his twin brother, Clyde Wayne Jones, and by his sisters, Irene Marie Burgess and Melverine Young.
The family would like to express great appreciation to all the many friends and the wonderful staff of Hospice of Stanly County who have been so supportive during Mr. Jones' battle with cancer.
The family will receive at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. A celebration of Mr. Jones' life will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, with graveside service immediately following at Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Contributions in Mr. Jones' memory may be made to First Lutheran Church, 230 South Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001 or to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the family; online obituaries and condolences at www.hartsellfh.com.
Published in the Charlotte Observer on 11/21/2006.