Nelson William Jones

Nelson William Jones, of Waxahachie, Texas, recently passed away after a lengthy illness, at the age of 95.  He was born in Center, Texas, to Lee Andrew Jones and Oma Jeanette Lyles Jones.  He had four siblings:  Wylma Allene Jones, Bernard Everett Jones, Vernon Melvin Jones, and Mavis Wanda Jones.  He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1944 as class valedictorian, lettered in basketball two years, and played lead in the Senior play.

             Dr. Jones (Nelson) graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1947 as highest ranking senior, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry and math.  His employment history included working on the family farm until age 14; for the Agricultural Adjustment Administration as surveyor and clerk; and as a sheet metal outfitter at the shipyard in Orange, Texas.  During his college years, he served as ambulance driver and assistant funeral director at Cason Monk & Company; and taught first aid courses to Nacogdoches police and firemen. 

            After college, he was employed by Gulf Oil Corporation in Port Arthur, in the Chemical Engineering Program there, until 1951.  He married Elizabeth Ann Barton August 4, 1951.  He graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1955 with his M.D. degree; and was inducted into the AOA Honorary Medical Fraternity.  He finished eighth in his class of 152.

            After graduation, he went into the U.S. Air Force, where he served as physician with the rank of Captain; and completed his internship at El Paso, Texas.  He then served two years as Chief of OB-Gyn Service at USAF Hospital, Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, Arizona.  After his discharge in June 1958, he moved to Waxahachie, Texas.

            In Waxahachie, he practiced Family Medicine until his retirement.  He was known for his gentle demeanor, his clinical acumen, and his ability to listen to his patients.  He was Board Certified by the American Academy of Family Practice in 1971, and elected Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice in 1981.  He served as Chief of Staff of Tenery Community Hospital, two terms as Ellis County Medical Society President, and thirteen years as Ellis County delegate to the Texas Medical Association.  He was on the Medical Staff of Tenery Hospital (later Baylor) for 34 years.  He also maintained membership in the American Medical Association, and both the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.  Dr. Jones was instrumental in bringing five additional family physicians to Waxahachie.

            While in Waxahachie, he served as a member of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce; on the Board of Trustees and chair of the investment committee for the Waxahachie Foundation; on the long-range planning committee for the Waxahachie Independent School District; and on the Board of Trustees for the Tri-County Mental Health & Mental Retardation Board.  His other past Board positions included Habitat for Humanity, as well as several local Bank Boards. 

            He also established the Dr. Nelson W. Jones, M.D. Alumni Scholarship Fund at Stephen F. Austin University, which helped numerous needy students from rural East Texas over the years; and continues to do so.

            Dr. Jones (Nelson) has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Waxahachie since 1958.  He is a long-time member of the Downtown Bible Class.  He was featured in the Waxahachie Sun’s article “A Life of Healing”, in June of 2019.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ann Barton Jones.  He is survived by his children, daughters Janeth Stiller (Robert) of Southlake, and Judith Schaeffer (Tom) of Waxahachie; and son Mitchell Jones, of Waxahachie.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Reid Stiller, Melanie Schendel, Bart Stiller, Thomas Schaeffer, and Alicia Sward; and great-grandchildren John and Lucy Schaeffer, Evelyn and Clara Schendel, James and Nathan Sward, Will and Yuna Stiller, and Isla Stiller.  Survivors also include his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, who loved him dearly. He will be greatly missed by his family, and by the many patients, friends, and colleagues whose lives he touched. Nelson and family are most appreciative to his dedicated and compassionate caregivers:  Dr. Jim Pickens, Dr. Douglas Orr and staff, Bristol Hospice, and Joanne Lindberg.

Services to Celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas, at 2:00 p.m.  Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service, from 1-2 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Waxahachie.   Interment will follow the service, at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, Waxahachie, Texas.

            Memorial designations and/or contributions in his honor may be made to the “Dr. N.W. Jones, M.D. Scholarship Fund at Stephen F. Austin State University, c/o Alumni Association, PO Box 6096, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-6096; or, to the Shriners’ Hospitals, or, the American Cancer Society.