Necrology

William Allenby Jones '39

May. 21, 1918-Jan. 17, 2006

William Allenby Jones, Salutatorian ’39, a retired systems analyst and an exceedingly devoted alumnus, was born on May 21, 1918, the younger son of Thomas G., a linotype operator, and Grace Brady Jones, in Utica, NY. Allenby Jones came up the Hill from Utica Free Academy in 1935 and soon acquired recognition for both his academic achievements and his debating prowess. He captured first prize in the McKinney Debate and the McKinney Declamation, and was elected to the forensic honorary Delta Sigma Rho. An early member of the Squires Club, on whose executive committee he served, he also joined the Charlatans and managed the soccer team in his senior year. Having earned honors in economics, political science, and public speaking, as well as a Phi Beta Kappa key, he left the Hill after delivering his salutatory address in Latin, as was then still customary.

Allenby Jones then headed to Cambridge, MA, and Harvard Law School, where he quickly decided that a legal career no longer appealed to him. During World War II he volunteered for military service but failed the physical examination. He then moved to Detroit, MI, where he found work with General Motors and subsequently with R. P. Scherer Corp. as an auditor. In his spare time he took up golf as well as bridge, of which he became a life master. In addition, inspired by Professor Berrian Shute while at Hamilton to appreciate music, he took to concert-going.

In 1957, motivated in part by the opportunity to golf year-around, Allenby Jones decided to join his sister in California. He moved to Los Angeles, where he found employment in the systems department of Richfield Oil Corp. (later Atlantic Richfield). The use of computers in the corporate world was then in its beginning stages, and he became involved with the practical application of the new and challenging technology. Promoted to budget analyst, he took early retirement from the oil company in 1976 as supervisor of systems and procedures, having decided to become “a full-time golfer.” He and his sister moved to Mission Viejo, where they shared a house, and where Allenby had the opportunity to play rounds of golf virtually every day of the week.

Besides earthquakes and varied golf courses, California introduced Allenby Jones to wine. He became a dedicated oenophile who could be depended upon to generously share his latest vintage find with any visitor to his home. In later years, when a knee problem somewhat limited his golf outings, he found welcome solace in literature and music. A cultured man of wide and remarkably varied interests, and a stimulating conversationalist, he was not only well read but also well versed in world affairs.

Allenby Jones, a onetime president of the Lower Michigan Alumni Association and Alumni Council member, remained ever grateful to the College for the love of literature and music that it had instilled in him. A lifelong bachelor who lived modestly and invested wisely, he expressed his gratitude to Hamilton by generous means.

W. Allenby Jones died on January 17, 2006, of coronary artery disease. Predeceased by his sister, Grace Dee, in 1999, and his brother, Thomas G. Jones ’32, in 1973, he is survived by a nephew, Leslie Jones.

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