Bill Jones, 85

Bill K. Jones, 85, passed away peacefully at The Surprise Health and Rehabilitation center in Sun City, Ariz., on July 4, 2023. He was born in Norfolk, Neb. on Aug. 29, 1937, to Orlen and Evelyn Jones.

The family moved to Missoula where Bill (age 6) attended school. In his early adult years, cars and trucks were his passion. Buying, selling, racing and transporting them around from state to state was his forte. There was always a towbar in his trunk, and never a car he could not tow.

He married Juanita Bauer Sept. 2, 1961, after moving to Polson and from that marriage, four children came to life, Larry (Jill), Laurie, Darryl (Susan) and Doyle.

In the late 60s, Dad was called in to action when a group of racers decided it was time for them to develop Mission Valley Speedway, where he was the Pit Boss for the track, a position he held for several years, all while owning and working with a crew of his own, racing in the C Stock Class. We remember several trips out looking for clay to get the first track built.

In 1973 Dad left Plum Creek Sawmill as a Certified Lumber Grader, after working there for 10 years, and purchased 93 Texaco from Gary Agler. It later became 93 Exxon.

He launched two tow trucks into the community utilizing CB radios for communication: Call Sign" Yellow Fox". Many friends gathered in the morning before work for a cup of coffee and figured out the plans for the day, not to mention what happened the day before. If that wasn't enough, he found time to volunteer at the Polson Fire Department for many years.

In summer of 1976, he met and married Donna Fuqua and together they built a 65-unit trailer park which they operated for the better part of 20 years. Among his other duties was gathering firewood for the winter months where you might see as much as 60 cords of wood on the ready all neatly stacked.

Heading into his retirement years Dad and Donna sold their trailer park and traveled south and west visiting family and friends. He also knew them well and was an icon at the many benches located in the Missoula Mall from thousands of shopping trips.

After 44 years of marriage, Donna passed and Dad could no longer stay in the tribal family home, so we moved him to Arizona where he and Juanita reunited again and were together until his passing. Dad thoroughly enjoyed his bucket list trip to see the Barrett Jackson Auction and reminisced about many of the cars he saw there that he had owned a similar one over the years. Dad recently re-united with a son, Terry Tabor, from an early relationship just before his passing.

Bill is survived by his children, sister Janice Cote, Juanita Kimmel, granddaughters Portia, Kayla, Sara and Caitlyn, grandsons Marcus and Steven and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna, brother Warren, and sisters Bonnie and Ellen.

There will be a small graveside service on Aug. 7, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Missoula City Cemetery. Cremation has taken place.