Oliver William Jones

Dr. Oliver William (Bill) Jones of La Jolla, CA passed away on August 10, 2021. He was born on February 7, 1932 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Cathryn Miller Beckett and Oliver William Jones, Sr. He spent his early childhood in Spiro, Oklahoma, where his father was a high school teacher. The family later moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Bill attended Tahlequah Central High School where he played football, basketball, and performed in the school band.

Music was central to his life. He played the organ for Sunday evening services at First Presbyterian Church of Tahlequah. While still in high school, he was invited to play piano in a jazz band formed by returning World War 2 veterans. Upon graduating from high school, Bill went on to Northeastern State University of Oklahoma, where he played football. He then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1957. While still in medical school, Bill met and married the love of his life, Paula (Belzung) Jones. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Duke University. During four years of additional fellowship training, he was privileged to conduct research in biochemical genetics with Marshall Nirenberg, Ph.D. at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, and with Paul Berg, Ph.D. at Stanford University.

After returning to a faculty appointment at Duke University, Bill was recruited to the University of California, San Diego to start the medical genetics program with the new medical school. Bill and Paula moved to La Jolla, CA in 1968, where they raised their four children.

Bill remained at UCSD until his retirement in 1998. Over the course of his career, he advanced the science of clinical genetics in the laboratory and also provided insight into the social impact on families.

Coming from Tahlequah, Bill always had an interest in Native American culture, particularly music. He crafted Native American flutes for more than 30 years and was a prominent member of the flute making community. Bill was also an avid sports fan. His teams were University of Oklahoma Sooner football, Duke Blue Devil basketball and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Vin Scully was a familiar voice in the household. He especially enjoyed gathering with family to watch Sooner football games. He loved the outdoors and traveling.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Paula; sons Oliver William 3rd (Patricia Hagan) and Peter (Janet); daughters Moira Jones Schnese (Brian) and Rebecca Jones Mashburn (Dan); nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Gift of Life” 5340 Foundation, Sunrise Rotary Club, P.O. Box 8625, La Jolla Post Office, 1140 Wall Street, 92038.

A memorial service is planned for mid-September.