In Memoriam

• Publication year: 2017
• Pages: 72

46 Colo.Law. 72 In Memoriam Vol. 46, No. 11 [Page 72] The Colorado Lawyer December, 2017

IN MEMORIAM

William L. Jones July 27, 1933-August 25, 2017

William (Bill) Jones was born in Idaho Springs, Colorado on July 27,1933, on his parent's kitchen table. He grew up in Idaho Springs and graduated from Idaho Springs High School in 1951. As a young man, Bill earned his Eagle Scout. He worked for the Forest Service and Loveland Ski Area. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated from CU Law School in 1957. Bill was drafted and served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Office in Washington, D.C. and San Antonio, Texas until 1961. He returned to Idaho Springs, worked for the District Attorney's Office for a short time, and then established a private law practice.

Bill loved being a small-town lawyer. He served as the town attorney for Georgetown and helped establish the National Historic Districts for both Georgetown and Idaho Springs. He and his sister, Chee Chee Bell, helped establish the Idaho Springs Historical Society.

Bill practiced law until 1976, when he was appointed to the 5th Judicial District Court bench. Judge Jones mentored numerous young lawyers and enjoyed being a country judge. He presided overmanylandmark cases and always left an impression on the lawyers and parties appearing before him. In addition to serving as district court judge, Judge Jones served as the chief judge of the 5th Judicial District from 1980 to 1994. During his time as chief judge, he was instrumental in getting new justice centers built in Eagle and Summit counties. He retired from the...