Mr. William Lee Jones

US Army Master Sergeant Retired, William L. Jones, a decorated veteran of the United States Army (Retired), 86, passed away peacefully on September 18th, 2023 in Blythewood with his family by his side. Bill was born on October 9th, 1936 in Ohatchee, Alabama as the only son to Macy Lee Jones and Lawrence Jones. He attended Weaver High School in Weaver, Alabama. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and served honorably for 20 years. He completed his basic training at Fort Jackson. He was first stationed in Berlin, Germany. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Dagmar Roessler Jones. During this time, He was assigned to Operation Check Point Charlie. Bill valued the United States Army highly and attained the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring from the armed forces. He served in Korea and was stationed at the DMZ Zone. Bill served two tours of Duty in Vietnam from 1968-1969 and again from 1970-1971. While there he served as a liaison between the United States Army and local Vietnam Villages. In 1969, the US Army first recognized MSgt. Jones for his honorable service with the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. While serving as an Operations/Intelligence Advisor in Vietnam he was instrumental in achieving significant improvements in the effectiveness of the Vietnamese forces he assisted. His sound advice to newly assigned American intelligence advisors and their Vietnam counterparts resulted in improvements in operational techniques and planning for reconnaissance operations. He exhibited sound judgement, integrity and stamina under conditions of stress and hardship. On his second Vietnam tour, MSgt. Jones further distinguished himself by earning another Bronze Star. He earned this medal while serving as Weapons Infantry Advisor. In 1971, while on a combined search and destroy mission the Command Armored Personnel Carrier in which he was riding detonated from an Improvised Explosive Device. He was blown out of the vehicle and wounded. The vehicle began burning and its ordnance started exploding. MSgt. Jones fearlessly returned to the track to assist in moving personnel from the vehicle to the medevac pick up zone and assisted in loading two medevac helicopters. After the other twelve persons who were wounded in action were evacuated, MSgt. Jones allowed himself to be medevacked. MSgt. William L Jones was awarded a Purple Heart for the wounds he received in action on that day. MSgt. Jones continued to serve his country with excellence and was awarded The Bronze Star (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) while serving as a Weapons Infantry Advisor in Vietnam. He was described as demonstrating the highest level of professional competence. “His outstanding display of stamina, decisiveness and professional abilities during combat operations were exemplary examples for the Vietnamese to follow and earned him their admiration and respect”. Before concluding his military career, MSgt. Jones was awarded The Army Commendation for significant contributions he made to the United States Army Training Center, Fort Jackson South Carolina. The center’s mission was directly enhanced by the vigorous performance and leadership he displayed during his assignment as an AIT Instructor. Bill was a very humble man, who didn’t speak much about his awards, military heroism or meritorious service in the army, but he loved his country and faithfully displayed an American flag at his home. He was always happy to instruct others on proper flag etiquette. Amidst Bill’s military career, he and Dagmar raised two wonderful daughters. In typical military family fashion, they moved from Alabama to Georgia, then Kentucky to Louisiana, and finally, to South Carolina, where the Joneses found their permanent home. He enjoyed spending time with his girls at Lake Wateree and teaching them and their friends to water ski. After retiring from a fulfilling career serving his country in 1976, Bill spent 25 years working for Westinghouse. Not one to idle, he filled his golden years by serving at Sandhills School as the handyman. He was a phenomenal carpenter who spent a lot of his time in his shop refurbishing antiques and completing woodworking projects for family and friends. Bill was a lifelong Alabama fan. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, and watching John Wayne movies. Bill was a godly man and he and Dagmar were members at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in Blythewood, SC. He enjoyed serving his church family by helping maintain the church grounds. Bill’s servant heart was displayed in his life of service to God, his country and his family. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by his sisters Helen and Margaret. He is survived by his siblings Ann Vinson (Boyd) and Martha Johnson (the late Rhett). He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dagmar Jones, children Kay MacInnis (Charles) and Pamela Morrow (Douglas), grandchildren Baylis MacInnis (Charley), William MacInnis (Elizabeth), Michael Morrow (Maddie), and Macy Morrow, and his first great-grandchild Andrew Morrow. The memorial service to honor Bill’s life and military service will be held Tuesday, September 26th 2023, at 2PM at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Pastor Russell Stillwell from Saint Andrews Lutheran Church. Friends and family are invited to gather at Shives Funeral Home for a visitation at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. We will process to the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sandhills School, 1500 Hallbrook Drive, Columbia, SC 29209.

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Mr. William Lee Jones

October 9, 1936 - September 18, 2023