William A. Jones Sr.

On Sunday April 16, the world lost a beautiful soul, but heaven gained an angel of a man. The Rev. Dr. William A. Jones passed into eternity and into the arms of his Lord and Savior. A tremendous father, husband, missionary and pastor to many souls, left this earthly life and duties to join those loved ones that have preceded him. This thoughtful, soft spoken, quiet and gentle Iowan who taught so many by example and with so few words, will be sorely missed.

Bill Jones was born in Des Moines Iowa on November 14th 1930. His parents were Arthur K. Jones and Alice McIntire. At the young age of 16, he felt called to the ministry and pursued a BA in Philosophy and Religion at Cornell College (1952) in Iowa, and later completed his BA in Divinity at Yale Divinity School (1956), finalizing his education in 1974 by attaining his Ph.D from Garret Theological Seminary at the University of Northwestern, Chicago. When he graduated from Divinity School, he began serving the Lord as a missionary, then as pastor, then as a grandfather and mentor to others. Through the Methodist Church he went to serve as a missionary to Peru during the 1960’s, as a pastor in Miami, Fl. in the 1970’s, and professor of Theology and Comparative Religions at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in the 1980’s.

In 1990, he and Celsa returned to Miami where he served again as pastor, retiring from ministry in 1995 and dedicating his time to writing, traveling, and being the best grandpa ever! Bill and Celsa were a part of the Wesley Heritage Foundation team translating the Works Of John Wesley, edited by Justo L. Gonzales, in 1998. Bill Jones also mentored and taught at the School of Extension Ministries and wrote a companion study guide to the Works of John Wesley in spanish and played an important role in helping the Methodist Church in Peru become autonomous. He was loved and cherished by his family, congregants, students and by all his peers in the Florida United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his beloved wife Celsa Garrastegui, son William (Victoria), daughter Alice (David) son Richard (Terri) and grandchildren, Wesley, Gabrielle, Yenuel, Shaina, Eliana, Jadyn and Adriel.

Service Information: 2030 N. Hwy A1A, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Indialantic, Fl, 32903; Sunday, April 23, 2023, 1pm-Reception, 2pm-Celebration of Life Service followed by Graveside service at Fountainhead Memorial Park, 7303 Babcock St. SE, Palm Bay, Fl.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Jones family.