Obituary: William Custis Barnard Jones, Jr.
Mr. William Custis Barnard Jones, Jr., known as Barney, age 94, quietly passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, after a period of declining health. Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of William Custis Barnard Jones, Sr. and Emily Edna Caldwell Jones. He grew up in Atlanta, GA. As an adult, he and his family lived in Delaware, Tennessee, and Kinston, NC which the family called home for over 30 years. His final home was Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville, NC where he lived for almost 14 years.
In addition to his parents, Barney was pre-deceased by his wife of 54 years Rowena Rice Jones, sister Emily Louise Jones Winkelman, brothers-in-law Valentine Winkelman and William “Bill” Trimble, Sr., son-in-law J. Ricky Howell, and two very special friends, Almarie McCreery and Fred Mattox.
Barney graduated from Boys High, attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and graduated with a B.A. from Georgia State University. In later years he also attended East Carolina University and was a 50-year member of the Pirate Club. He loved his Pirates!
In the business world, Barney spent most of his career in the new area of Data Processing/Operations Systems and was involved with computers starting in the early 1960s. He enjoyed solving problems and understanding how processes worked together. He worked for several furniture and textile manufacturing companies. Once retired, he was a part-time Site Interpreter at the CSS Neuse State Historic Site. He loved sharing his knowledge of the Civil War and the Neuse gunboat with visitors and was sometimes teased by staff for getting carried away and keeping tour groups out for an hour or more.
Throughout his life he was most proud of his military service. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951, completing Pilot Training School in February 1952, Class 52-A, at Reece Air Force Base, Lubbock, TX. He was honored to receive his Pilot’s wings from World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Barney served in Korea from 1952-1953 as part of the 6147th Tactical Control Group. Known as “Mosquitoes,” he flew his reconnaissance missions in a T-6 Texan. He received numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, and Korean Service medal with 2 Battle Stars. He separated from active duty in February 1955, joined the USAF Reserves, and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He also served in the Delaware Air National Guard. While in the Reserves he served as a liaison for the U.S. Air Force Academy and was often a tour guide for trips with North Carolina teachers and students. His two favorite activities when visiting the Academy each year was attending an Air Force football game and flying in a glider. Because of the quiet, he said it was the closest he came to experiencing flying like a bird.
Barney was a member of the Air Force Association, Daedalians, Reserve Officers Association, and Quiet Birdman organization. He enjoyed golf, travel, and sports and was a member of Queen Street United Methodist Church in Kinston. As an adult he enjoyed re-visiting Chestertown, MD where he spent summers as a boy. He and wife Rowena had fun traveling and especially enjoyed crises!
He loved his Cypress Glen family which included both residents and staff. He especially enjoyed the lively discussions over coffee in the morning in the Café, his neighbors on first floor B wing, and being involved in many different aspects of the community. For much of his time there he took responsibility for the American flag on the Veterans flagpole, making sure it was raised and lowered appropriately and replacing it when needed. He loved the flag!
Surviving family are his daughters, Valerie Jones Howell of Smithfield, and Laura Jones Clark of Kinston (husband Ricky), granddaughter, Mary Lee Howell of Raleigh, sister, Suzanne Caldwell Jones Trimble, niece, Lisa Trimble Danforth, (husband Steve), and nephews William “Bill” Trimble, Jr. (wife Barbar Jo), and Scott Trimble (wife Kathy), all of Florida, and nephew David Trimble (wife Carol) of North Carolina, plus their families.
A burial service will be held on Friday, January 5, at 3:00pm at Westview Cemetery, Kinston. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, at 11:00am at The Brown Chapel, Cypress Glenn Retirement Community, 100 Hickory St., Greenville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund, Cypress Glen Retirement Community, 100 Hickory St., Greenville, NC 27858, or Queen Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 508, Kinston, NC 28502, or to the charity of your choice.
Edwards Funeral Home, Kinston is assisting the family.
