William Dale Jones, 85

It is with great sadness that the family of William Dale Jones announces his passing at Charlton Hospital in Fall River on January 17 at the age of 85.

Born at Morton Hospital in Taunton on November 6, 1940, he was the son of William Richard Jones and Jennie Mae (MacLeod) Jones.

Upon graduating from Hopewell School and Taunton High School, Dale studied Marine and Electrical Engineering at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA). 

Upon graduation, Dale served in the Merchant Marine, sailing to many ports in Europe and South America from various cities along the East Coast, as well as from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. He later worked at the General Dynamics Quincy Shipyard, building nuclear submarines.

Dale was a registered professional engineer employed by Raytheon in North Dighton, Wayland, MA, and Portsmouth, RI, working on anti-ballistic systems. Later, he worked with Braincon in Marion, where he helped develop the Type 120 V-Fin Towed Underwater Vehicle, designed to enclose a sonar transducer.

Next, he was an engineer with Thompson Consultants, also in Marion. Along with many assignments, he primarily worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he became familiar with the entire facility. He was President of the South Coast Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers. 

Dale was later hired by Princess House as their Plant Manager. He later purchased their metal fabrication, plating, and powder coating operation and relocated it to the Fall River Industrial Park.

Dale served on the Designer Selection Board for Massachusetts, which selected designers for the Commonwealth's buildings. He pursued his master's degree in business at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he later served on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Foundation. 

As an active member of the Marion community, he was a founding member of the volunteer EMS Association. He served for 40 years as an EMT and volunteer firefighter, Emergency Management Director, CPR Instructor, member of the Water Board, Chairman of the Police Station Building Committee, and member of the Sippican School Building Committee. Dale was a dedicated Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 32, where he taught many merit badges, including First Aid. He was a Scout Leader at the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1989. He was also a Hunter Safety Instructor and was a member of the Masonic Pythagorean Lodge in Marion. He enjoyed his time as a crossing guard at Sippican School right up until his hospitalization.

In retirement, he was able to concentrate on his tinkering, drafting new designs, and producing gadgets.

Throughout the years, Dale's classmates have remained very close. Dale was an active member of the MMA Alumni Association throughout his lifetime, serving as the President of the Board of Directors. His MMA classmates were like brothers as they lived together on their training ship, USTS Bay State, for three years. His Taunton High School and MMA reunions were definite highlights of his life. Academy reunions have continued for over 60 years, with classmates and their wives maintaining close relationships to this day.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean (Packard) Jones, and his two sons, William Carlton Jones (Alice Lee) and Richard Dale Jones (Andrea Dolezal), cousins Sandy Schwaab (Shirley) and Roderick MacLeod (Michelle), and nephew David Carlton Packard (Melina Molina Packard).

He adored his grandchildren, William Alexander Jones, Eleanor Frances Jones, and Luke Zachary Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marion Fire Department or the American Red Cross. 

The funeral service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at 10 AM on April 11th, 2026. There will be a reception at the Marion Music Hall immediately following the service.  

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, Taunton.

For online family register please visit www.hathawayfunerals.com