William Jasper "Bill" Sones, Jr., 96, of El Dorado, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024. He was born on June 26, 1928 to Rev. William J. “Willie” and Mildred Ophelia Swinney Sones in Junction City, AR.
He was educated in Junction City School from 1st thru 12th grade, graduating on a Friday night, he left for service with the U. S. Navy during World War II. Bill served with the UDT (underwater demolition team) the prelude unit to Navy Seals. He had been employed at Arkansas Chemical for 35 ½ years before his retirement.
Bill was a faithful member of East Main Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge #13 of El Dorado, 32nd degree Mason, Royal Arch Mason, El Dorado Chapter #114 Gethsemane Commandery #13, Knight Templar, and Zedekiah Council 52. Bill was also a member of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Orient of Arkansas, Eastern Star of El Dorado #280 where he served as Worthy Patron several times.
He loved to garden, to watch things grow having the heart of a farmer. He loved to deer hunt during dog season, fish and watch ball games. He also played baseball in his younger years, earning a scholarship which was delayed by his service in World War II.
Bill was a friendly man and loved people. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Norma Faye Lowery Sones; brother, Edward Donald Sones and sisters, Helen Sones Holtzclaw Wilkerson, and Nancy Sones Smith along with a nephew, Charles Arthur (Charlie) Sones.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Kendrick (Tom) of El Dorado and La Donna Hayner of Holiday Island, AR grandchildren, Jamie McCarty (Alicia) of El Dorado, Janna Doss (Bruce) of El Dorado, Caley Miller of Holiday Island, AR and Garin Hayner (Lorrie) of Green Forest, AR; great grandchildren, Dakota Martinez, Moss Miller, Elijah Doss, step-great grandchildren, Destany Bradley, Jayden Morgan and Lincoln Morgan; two great-great grandchildren, Hadley Vines and Rowdy Kate Bradley; and a brother, Charles Ray Sones (Ann) of Junction City. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and host of friends.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Young's. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, at East Main Baptist Church with Rev. Benjy McCann officiating. Masonic funeral rites will be held in the sanctuary before the interment. Interment will follow at Old Parkers Chapel Cemetery with Military honors performed by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
A special thanks to Dee Tatia and Amazing Grace Homecare for all the loving care given to Bill the Last several years.
Memorials may be made to Masonic Lodge #13, 106 N. Washington Ave. and East Main Baptist Church, 1903 East Main St., El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Sones family.
