Bill and Leota Later Years

 

        Bill and Leota were blessed with two grandchildren from their only son, Jeff. They welcomed their grandson, Shelby Ryan Jones, on September 7, 1975 and their granddaughter, Jenny Lynn Jones, on September 23, 1979. They loved spending time with their grandchildren and the kids would often visit their home after school.

        Shelby has many fond memories involving his grandparents. He considered Bill to be his best friend would walk to Jones Sundries after school to visit him. They would sometimes go to the grocery store to get a large box of oranges and use an old juice press to make fresh orange juice. When he was sick, Shelby would request to stay with Leota who would make him grilled cheese. This is still his favorite meal request when he isn't feeling well.

        Bill died suddenly in their home from a heart attack. It was about 4am on August 12, 1985 when he was 68 years old. Nine years later, Leota lost her battle with cancer and passed away on October 3, 1994 at the age of 74. They were buried next to each other at the Sumner City Cemetery in Sumner, Illinois.

Bill & Leota's Bird Paradise

Standard and white peacocks at their aviary.

   In the late 1950s, Bill and Leota began turning their property into the home of their dreams and it all started with birds. They both always loved birds and began raising pigeons and peacocks as a hobby. Bill was very creative, building the cages and most of the things needed to keep the birds. Before they knew it, they had their own homemade aviary. At one point they had 20 to 30 peacocks running around.

        Throughout the years they had pheasants, white peacocks, standard peacocks, swans, black swans, fan-tailed pigeons, and feather-toed pigeons. Their aviary became so well-known that every year, the grade schools would take a field trip to visit the birds. They would also receive visitors from the nursing home.

        Bill had what Leota called a "knack for creating". Using scrap wrought iron caging from the old Sumner Post Office, he built a beautiful glider swing. He even dug a 2-acre man made pond with a bridge leading to an island. They stocked the pond with bass, bluegill and crappie so that Bill and Jeff could go fishing any time.

        Flower beds, a wishing well, and a cabin next to the pond completed the wonderland. Bill made the screened-in cabin out of old railroad ties. It featured a wagon wheel chandelier and even a fireplace where they would host gatherings and make popcorn. 

Article about their home published in the Daily Record - November 7, 1985

Jones Sundries

Jones Sundries original location: 108 S. Christy, Sumner IL

        Bill Jones worked in various places of business in Sumner, IL including the Winter's Sundry Store for 7 1/2 years and for Joe Weiss Cleaning establishment for eight years. Leota was employed at Stouts Implement Store for a time.

        In 1953, when they were expecting their first child, Bill and Leota decided to go into business for themselves. They purchased the Winter's business located at 108 S. Christy and renamed it Jones Sundries.

Centennial Celebration

        In honor of Sumner's 100th anniversary, the town held a Centennial Celebration on July 2-5, 1954. As shopkeepers in town, Bill and Leota were required to wear period costumes during the event or face a fine. The men stopped shaving in February to ensure they had full beards in time for the celebration. Men who preferred to shave had to purchase a "shaving license" for $5.

New Location

Bill at the grand opening with one of the La Fendrich Cigars.
The wagon from Lancaster Hardware can be seen in the left corner holding flowers.

        Jones Sundries successfully operated out of their original storefront for seven years before upgrading to a new location across the street at 203 S. Christy in 1960. The new store was quite a big deal for the time. An article in the Sumner Press about the move said the building "lacks for nothing in modernity. With its new recessed plate glass front, beautiful marquee, tile floor, lowered ceiling and colorful decorations, it is a credit to any community. The building is entirely cooled and heated with natural gas." According to a representative from the local Illinois Gas Company, "Jones Sundries is the first building in Sumner to make use of this newest equipment available which air conditions in the summer and heats in the winter from one unit."

            In the storefront window of the new building was a wagon load of flowers. This wagon was part of the early days in Sumner. It was stored in the Lancaster Hardware store room and was used in the early days to make delivery of heavy purchases.

            Bill and Leota hosted a Grand Opening for the new location on Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, 1960 that included free gifts for each person visiting the store. Women received a potted plant, Men a La Fendrich Cigar, and for the Children, ice cream and candy treats. Each visitor was also entered to win one of the multiple door prizes in a drawing held on Saturday night of the celebration. The event was a huge success with over 1,400 visitors. 

Retirement

        The store and its owners continued to be a big part of the community until they retired and closed the store in the 1980s after thirty years in business. Years later, Jones Sundries customers still remember the store fondly, especially those who went to the store as children to buy "penny candy". 

Bill Jones and Leota McCleary

Love and Marriage

        About five years after returning home from the war, Bill found the love of his life. Leota Fern McCleary was born in the small farming community of Noble, Illinois on January 24, 1920. Her parents were Bertha Melinda (Bourne) and James Garfield McCleary. Leota was the fourth of their five children. After finishing high school she went to work as a stenographer. 

        Bill (34) proposed to Leota (31) by sucking on a LifeSaver until it was the size of a wedding ring. They married at 2pm on Saturday, June 16, 1951 in their home at 209 W. Sycamore St. in Sumner, Illinois. Reverend James McCoy, pastor of the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Sumner performed the ceremony that was attended by their immediate families. 

        The wedding party was Leota's younger brother Jim and his wife, June. After the wedding and reception, they departed for a 10-day honeymoon in the Ozarks.

Children

        Almost two and a half years after their wedding, Bill (36) and Leota (33) became the proud parents of Jeffrey Alan Jones. He was born at 10:28pm on Wednesday, November 18, 1953 at the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Jeffrey weighed in at eight pounds and was the first, and only, child in the family.