Julian Ward Jones Jr.

Julian Ward Jones, Jr. departed this mortal life, which he had always cherished and enjoyed, on August 28, 2021. He was born on July 11, 1930, at Minor Essex County, Virginia, in the farmhome of his maternal grandparents, William Milton and Rosa Ellen Greenstreet. He was the son of Julian Ward Jones and Dorothy Beatrice Greenstreet Jones. He was delivered by Edmonia Holmes, local black midwife.

He grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the development of his character was greatly enhanced by his associations with the local Salvation Army and Captain Ralph Millsap and with Boy Scout Troop 180. He graduated in 1948 from James Monroe High School as valedictorian of his class.

At the University of Richmond, he read Latin under professors Woodford Braddus Hackley, Marjorie Rivenburg, Wayne Snyder, and Pauline Turnbull. Reading the ancient Latin authors was the persistent joy of the remainder of his days.

At Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he read the Greek of Homer while serving as a dental technician in the US Army during the years 1953-1955.

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he studied the Classics under two noted masters, Berthold L. Ullman and Walter Allen, Jr.

At the College of William and Mary, he taught Latin and Roman and Greek History to several generations of students. He was ever indebted to them for the way in which they enriched his life.

He is survived by his two sons, Gordon Bradford Jones of Falls Church, Virginia, and Douglas Ward Jones, of Williamsburg, Virginia; also by a daughter-in-law, Presie Supremo Jones, and by two grandsons, Xavier Supremo Jones and Zachary Moreno Jones, all also of Williamsburg.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife and intellectual companion of fifty-four years, Elizabeth Frances Hunter Jones, and by his sister, Dorothy Irene Wilkerson.

Notes of condolence may be addressed to Douglas Ward Jones, 104 Gilley Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. Donations in the deceased’s name may be made to the Williamsburg Baptist Church.