Skydiver, Innovator, Instructor, USPA Gold Medal Winner

Bill Jones passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 93. He made his first skydive in 1950 as part of a government project and went on to become a legendary skydiver, instructor, drop zone owner, innovator, and recipient of the 2016 United States Parachute Association’s (USPA) Gold Medal for Meritorious Service.

Jones made his first military static-line jumps in 1957 and began sport parachuting in 1962. His influential life in the sport lasted six decades and he made more than 16,000 jumps. In addition to establishing drop zones, he developed training methods, modified and invented parachute equipment, and trained more than 100,000 students in both the military and civilian arenas.

Jones was a USPA Tandem, AFF and Static-Line Examiner, FAA Master Rigger and Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot, a national judge, and Army HALO instructor while serving in the historic 10th Special Forces. He was the director of the European Parachute League, and from 1975-1982 was superintendent of the airmanship division at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he made numerous training and equipment innovations.

Jones was active in the Parachutists Over Phorty Society, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Parachuting at the Pioneers of Sport Parachuting Reunion in Felicity, California, in 2023.

He is survived by his wife Carol, 11 children, and dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He inspired a love of the sport in his family and many have become instructors, drop zone owners, pilots, mechanics, riggers, and record holders.

What an amazing legacy!

The historic Taft DZ in California will host the celebration of life for Bill Jones on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

FMI:  www.uspa.org/