William Keith Jones

William Keith Jones

12/15/1960 - 09/04/2026

William “Bill” Keith Jones, our beloved dad, grandpa, husband, brother, and uncle, was called to his Heavenly home unexpectedly on the morning of September 4th, 2026. Bill was born December 15th, 1960, in Seattle, Washington to Darrell and Kathryn Jones. He was the second born and only boy amongst three sisters. In his earliest years, Bill moved with his family from Washington to California and back (twice) before they ultimately settled in Spokane, where his parents opened the Donut Parade in the fall of 1968. In his first year in Spokane, Bill attended at least five different elementary schools and moved houses several times before the family landed for good in the West Central neighborhood. Despite the challenges that came with frequent moves, Bill looked warmly upon his childhood surrounded by hard-working, loving parents, a doting older sister, Susie (“Toosie”), and his two rambunctious younger sisters, Katy and Tracy. Memories from the various places he had lived featured prominently in the many stories he told throughout his life, and a captivating storyteller he was!

Being in the bakery business meant his parents rose early and worked long hours; as a result, Bill was often responsible for getting both himself and his younger sisters ready, fed, and out the door for school. His watchful brotherly eye did not end there – in his tenure as a safety patrol officer at Bryant Elementary, he once turned in his own sister for throwing wet paper towel wads at the ceiling in the girls’ bathroom. He balanced that sense of duty and ‘moral superiority’ with good-humored mischief and pranks, enacted mainly on his sisters or grandmother. When he wasn’t mopping floors or lugging flour sacks at the donut shop, he could be found exploring the neighborhood with best friends, Kenny, Pat, and Chris, frequenting A.M. Cannon pool and Doyle’s Ice Cream Parlor. He attended Havermale Junior High where he was self-reportedly the “only 8th grader who could throw a snowball to the top of the school’s smokestack.” He then went on to North Central High School, a time in his life on which he reminisced often and fondly. As a gifted athlete, he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball, playing for two of the winningest teams in NC history. He was both a talented pitcher and hitter, forever reminding his kids and grandkids of the time he launched a ball from NC’s home plate to the roof of the Greek Orthodox Church. He performed well academically despite claiming he never once took a book home from school to study. In his junior year, Bill set his sights on capturing the attention of a beautiful and talented acapella choir classmate, Deanna Kuehl. On their first date, Bill took her to the hip, new restaurant in town – Wendy’s. Their courtship spanned several years, and Bill was instantly welcomed into Deanna’s family.

Upon graduating from NC in 1979, Bill attended Whitworth College where he played baseball for a season before injuring his arm. He and Deanna were married in August of 1983, welcoming their eldest daughter, Chelsea, in 1990, followed by their youngest daughter, Rachel, in 1993. Bill spent several years working various jobs while also attending classes at Eastern Washington University, eventually obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. This career path led him from an accounting role at KXLY to positions at Sterling Savings Bank, private firms, and even a foray into wholesale donut making before taking on the role as General Manager at Fasteners, Inc, where he remained for nearly 20 years.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill held a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing, hobbies he enjoyed most in the company of dear friends and family members. He amassed an enviable collection of storied firearms, sporting gear, and trophy mounts. He loved boating and camping on Priest Lake and soaking in the natural hot springs at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Fairmont, BC. He delighted in crisp autumn weather, road trips, and beautiful film scores. He drank coffee like it was going out of style, watched Jeopardy religiously, and could quote the entire script from The Shawshank Redemption and A River Runs Through It. None of these interests, however, rivaled that of his love for his kids’ academic and sports pursuits, especially club soccer. Bill was a beyond proud and devoted dad to both his girls, and logged innumerable hours shuttling them to and from practices, games, and tournaments - rain or shine. He deeply valued the friendships he formed with other team parents and enjoyed traveling to the many places activities took the family. Naturally, he showed this same devotion to the next generation, proudly cheering on both grandkids at numerous sporting and school events over the last decade. In 2019, his eldest daughter and son-in-law purchased the West Central home he grew up in – it was a full-circle moment for Bill and the entire Jones family.

Bill was known for his charisma and big heart. He was a friend to everyone, and possessed an easy way with people, a product of growing up around a family business that functioned as a community hub serving folks from every walk of life. He could make anyone laugh - genuinely laugh - and bestowed on his children (intentionally or not) his sarcastic, self-deprecating sense of humor. Taking care of his family came before all else. He modeled kindness and generosity daily, in both words and actions.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Deanna Jones; his two daughters, Chelsea Jones (Matt Johnson) and Rachel Jones, both of Spokane; his grandchildren and apples of his eye, Everett Eckhoff and Margaret “Maggie” Johnson; sisters Sue Teague, Katy Youngren, and Tracy Jones of WA; brother, Mark Hickman, and sister Kristi Jo Hyde of UT; and numerous beloved nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, whom he missed every day. The degree to which he already is, and will forever be, missed is more than any of us could express through words. It is impossible to capture a person’s whole life and essence in a few short paragraphs – we are thankful to have loved him and known his enduring love.

Psalms 34:18

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Union Gospel Mission or Meals on Wheels of Greater Spokane County in Bill’s honor. The family will have a private graveside service and details for a Celebration of Life (open to all) will be announced at a later date.