Vernon Bill Jones, age 76, a resident of East Prairie, Missouri passed away July 30, 2021 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Born December 13, 1944 in East Prairie, Missouri to the late Elbert Milton Jones and Lois Pinnon Jones, he was owner of Jones Waste Services in East Prairie for many years.  Bill was an avid rabbit hunting dog man, which earned him the nickname "The Beagle King".  He enjoyed training his beagle dogs, and his favorite saying was "knowledge is power".

He was married to Ninna Jackson Jones, who preceded him in death.

Survivors include one son, David Wayne Jones of East Prairie; and one daughter, Angie (Stephen) Groves of East Prairie.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Ray Jones; and one sister, Deloma Jones McCourt, both of Benton, Missouri.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 5, 2021 beginning at 11 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1 p.m. at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, with Bro. Mike Johnson and Bro. Dennis Lowe officiating.

Interment will follow in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.