Son of Vernie Allen (V.A.) Jones and Helen Byers Jones; two older brothers and one younger sister. Beloved husband of 59 years to his high school sweetheart, Irene. He was the father of two daughters and two sons, grandfather of six, and great-grandfather of two.
As a youth, Wayne was an honored athlete and student. Shortly after enrolling in the University of Illinois, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was a 1st Lt. during World War II. After his return, he finished college and began his first engineering job. Then the father of two small girls, he was recalled to active service once again in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in Korea, 11 October 1951, while in Company L, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. He "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mago-ri, Korea". He also earned two Bronze Stars with Valor as Infantry Unit Commander in 1951.
Wayne was a graduate of the University of Illinois with two engineering degrees. He was a manager for Illinois Power Company for over 35 years, first in Decatur and later in Monticello, IL, where he retired. He and Irene then moved to Florida and lived there until he died in 2003.
He was very active in his churches in Illinois and Florida as treasurer, deacon and elder. He was a man of honor and high standards, well-respected by many; a fine man with a gentle and kind soul.
Wayne could fix or build anything, always ready with a hammer to help where needed. Patient and steady, Wayne was a warm and generous father, adored husband, and a great grandpa.
As a youth, Wayne was an honored athlete and student. Shortly after enrolling in the University of Illinois, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was a 1st Lt. during World War II. After his return, he finished college and began his first engineering job. Then the father of two small girls, he was recalled to active service once again in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in Korea, 11 October 1951, while in Company L, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. He "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mago-ri, Korea". He also earned two Bronze Stars with Valor as Infantry Unit Commander in 1951.
Wayne was a graduate of the University of Illinois with two engineering degrees. He was a manager for Illinois Power Company for over 35 years, first in Decatur and later in Monticello, IL, where he retired. He and Irene then moved to Florida and lived there until he died in 2003.
He was very active in his churches in Illinois and Florida as treasurer, deacon and elder. He was a man of honor and high standards, well-respected by many; a fine man with a gentle and kind soul.
Wayne could fix or build anything, always ready with a hammer to help where needed. Patient and steady, Wayne was a warm and generous father, adored husband, and a great grandpa.
Son of Vernie Allen (V.A.) Jones and Helen Byers Jones; two older brothers and one younger sister. Beloved husband of 59 years to his high school sweetheart, Irene. He was the father of two daughters and two sons, grandfather of six, and great-grandfather of two.
As a youth, Wayne was an honored athlete and student. Shortly after enrolling in the University of Illinois, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was a 1st Lt. during World War II. After his return, he finished college and began his first engineering job. Then the father of two small girls, he was recalled to active service once again in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in Korea, 11 October 1951, while in Company L, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. He "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mago-ri, Korea". He also earned two Bronze Stars with Valor as Infantry Unit Commander in 1951.
Wayne was a graduate of the University of Illinois with two engineering degrees. He was a manager for Illinois Power Company for over 35 years, first in Decatur and later in Monticello, IL, where he retired. He and Irene then moved to Florida and lived there until he died in 2003.
He was very active in his churches in Illinois and Florida as treasurer, deacon and elder. He was a man of honor and high standards, well-respected by many; a fine man with a gentle and kind soul.
Wayne could fix or build anything, always ready with a hammer to help where needed. Patient and steady, Wayne was a warm and generous father, adored husband, and a great grandpa.
As a youth, Wayne was an honored athlete and student. Shortly after enrolling in the University of Illinois, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was a 1st Lt. during World War II. After his return, he finished college and began his first engineering job. Then the father of two small girls, he was recalled to active service once again in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in Korea, 11 October 1951, while in Company L, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. He "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mago-ri, Korea". He also earned two Bronze Stars with Valor as Infantry Unit Commander in 1951.
Wayne was a graduate of the University of Illinois with two engineering degrees. He was a manager for Illinois Power Company for over 35 years, first in Decatur and later in Monticello, IL, where he retired. He and Irene then moved to Florida and lived there until he died in 2003.
He was very active in his churches in Illinois and Florida as treasurer, deacon and elder. He was a man of honor and high standards, well-respected by many; a fine man with a gentle and kind soul.
Wayne could fix or build anything, always ready with a hammer to help where needed. Patient and steady, Wayne was a warm and generous father, adored husband, and a great grandpa.
Inscription
1st LT US Army
World War II Korea
