Earlier this year, on January 17, William Dale Jones passed at the age of 85. At the time, he had been a member of the Marion Planning Board and had committed numerous years to it, and the town as a whole as a dedicated public servant.
A lifelong resident of the South Coast and of Marion later in life, Jones was also a founding member of the town’s volunteer EMS Association. He also served as an EMT and volunteer firefighter. For this work and much more, last week, the Marion Police Department released a public dedication to Jones, emphasizing the work he did and thanking his unwavering service.
“Earlier this year a great friend of our department passed away. William ‘Dale’ Jones was an active member of the Marion community, serving our town in many capacities throughout his life. His dedication to our town and his support of our first responders will be greatly missed.”
Dale studied Marine and Electrical Engineering at Mass Maritime, then worked as a Merchant Marine and at the General Dynamics Quincy Shipyard building nuclear submarines. As an engineer, Dale built a successful career and was president of the South Coast Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers.
Dale was committed to serving the Town of Marion. Along with his service as a founding member of the volunteer EMS Association and his 40 years as an EMT and volunteer firefighter, Jones served the town as Emergency Management director, CPR instructor, member of the Water Board, chairman of the Police Station Building Committee and member of the Sippican School Building Committee.
In his later years, residents would find Dale serving as a crossing guard in the crosswalk at Sippican School, greeting students and families with enthusiasm and huge smiles, as well as serving on the Community Emergency Response Team. Dale made frequent visits to the police station, either to catch up with chief or to simply show his support for our officers.
Dale is survived by his wife Shirley, two sons Bill and Richard, cousins, a nephew and grandchildren, as well as countless friends and residents that will miss his jokes, smiles and friendship.
RIP, “Dale.”
Jones’ funeral service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at 10:00 am on April 11. There is also a reception at the Marion Music Hall following the service.
By Sam Bishop