William "Bill" Jones

William L. (Bill) Jones, 48, of Columbus, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at The Ohio State University Medical Center Ross Heart Hospital. Bill was rushed to the OSUMC after suffering an apparent heart attack at his desk in the Department of Athletics administrative offices at the Novice G. Fawcett Center. “Bill left us from the place he loved. He left us doing what he loved,” Linda Jones, Bill’s mother, said.

Born Oct. 9, 1963 in Akron, Bill was serving in his 14th year as a member of the Ohio State Department of Athletics in his current position as Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs. The son of Jim Jones, Ohio State Director of Athletics from 1987-94 and member of the Department of Athletics since 1966, Bill truly was a Buckeye from birth. His love for Ohio State was unmatched. Bill volunteered in the athletics equipment department starting in the sixth grade and continued as a student manager for the football team in his undergraduate years at OSU. He joined the Ohio State Department of Athletics in a full-time capacity in 1998 as the assistant director of premium seating and moved to director of premium seating the following year. His ascent at OSU continued in 2006, when he took over as manager of the athletics ticket office and became assistant athletics director for ticketing in 2007. He assumed his current role in 2009.

Bill will be remembered as a caring, calm and understanding leader, co-worker and friend. He touched many lives in the Ohio State community from University and Athletics staff, OSU Golf Course personnel and to the countless Buckeye supporters from around the world who have attended thousands of Ohio State sporting events in Bill’s tenure in the department.

Recently on the football Gator Bowl trip in Jacksonville, Fla., Bill, an avid golfer, carded an impressive 83 at TPC Sawgrass stadium course, home of THE PLAYERS championship tournament. Bill’s professional career in sports began in the game he loved. From 1991-98, Bill was the director of operations and media for the PGA's Memorial Tournament, as well as serving as the tournament director of an LPGA event in Pinehurst, N.C., and as the tournament director for the Diner's Club Matches in La Quinta, Calif. The Ohio State department of athletics has dedicated a golf scholarship in memory of Bill. Donations to the William L. (Bill) Jones Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund will be used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an undergraduate student-athlete who is a member of the men’s or women’s golf team. Donation information is listed below.

A graduate of Upper Arlington High School, Bill earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Ohio State in 1986 and a master's of sports administration from Ohio University in 1991. Bill took pleasure in traveling on annual trips with his family to Emerald Isle, N.C. and in recent years challenged the legendary golf courses of Ireland with his father and brother-in-law. Bill also enjoyed reuniting with his KAPPA SIGMA fraternity brothers on various excursions across the country.

Bill is survived by his parents, Jim and Linda Jones (Rea), sister, Lynnae, brother-in-law Mark MaGinn, and nieces Courtney and Taylor MaGinn; longtime friends Lori, Jason and Townsend Cox, and dogs Cinch and Bandera. Bill’s extended family includes aunts, uncles and cousins: William (deceased), Kenny, Laura, Michael and Susie Rea; Phi and Tom, Thai and Jodi Rea; Carol and Larry, Kim, Kelly, Traci and Rebecca Rea; Sharon and Stacie Switzer; Barb and Gary, Pat and Katie Kindig; Margaret and Jay, Mike and Jack Morgan; Tom and Diann, Jennifer and Jana Jones; John and Mary Jones. Also worthy of mention is Bill’s loyal and lasting relationships with members of his KAPPA SIGMA fraternity brotherhood.

Family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 13 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., Columbus (Just south of I-270). The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2151 Dorset Rd. Upper Arlington, with The Rev. Bruce Smith officiating.

Contributions to the William L. (Bill) Jones Memorial Athletic Scholarship (Fund #482247) may be made by sending donations to The Ohio State Department of Athletics Development Office, 8th Floor Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43210. Bill was a registered organ/tissue donor and was able to improve the lives of others through tissue donations.