William Jones

William Richard Willie Jones, resident of Ponca City, passed Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Integris Blackwell Hospital. He was 80 years of age. He was a member of the Kaw Tribe and his given Native American name was TAHDAYONHSAH which means strong wind.

William was born April 29, 1931 at Pawnee, Oklahoma, the son of Richard Jones and Nellie Headman Jones. He received his early education in the Pawnee, White Eagle and Chilocco schools. He was married to Phoebe Diamond in 1950.William was a member of the semipro basketball team, Oklahoma Indians that traveled throughout the country. His other enjoyments were hunting, fishing, hunting mushrooms, coaching softball and basketball.

He is survived by his four children, Vicki Thomas of Ponca City, Veronica Talamantes of Oklahoma City, Farrell Jones of El Reno, Oklahoma and Jeanette Pappan of Oklahoma City 19 grandchildren and numerous great and great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents three children, Lana Kay Jones, Ricky Jones and Bridgett Jones one infant brother, Lloyd Jones three sisters, Irene Waters, Wanda Waters and Cornelia LeClair.

A prayer service will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. A noon meal will be served on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Rev. Clifford Springwater will preside over the service assisted by Rev. Louis Headman and Doug Eagle. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Ray Hinman, Roy Hinman, J.R. Kent, A.J. Carney, Samuel LeClair, Richard LeClair, Wiley Whitehorn, Myron Hinman, Connor Rhodd and Al Waters. Honorary casket bearers will be grandsons, Christopher Thomas, Eugene Pappan, Samuel Talamantes Jr., Lorenzo Talamantes, Adam Talamantes, Big Elk Jones, Farrell Jones Jr., Joshua Jones, Elton Littlecook, Marcos Thomas and Tyler Miller.