Notice regarding Julian Ward Jones Jr.
Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community on Aug. 30, 2021. - Ed.
Dear Colleagues,
I write to share the news that Julian Ward Jones, Jr., Chancellor Professor of Classical Studies, Emeritus, passed away on August 28, 2021. He was 91.
He was born on July 11, 1930, at Minor Essex County, Virginia, in the farm home of his maternal grandparents, William Milton and Rosa Ellen Greenstreet. He was the son of Julian Ward Jones and Dorothy Beatrice Greenstreet Jones. He grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the development of his character was greatly enhanced by his associations with the local Salvation Army and Captain Ralph Millsap and with Boy Scout Troop 180. He graduated in 1948 from James Monroe High School as valedictorian of his class.
Julian Jones, Jr. earned his A.B. in 1952 from the University of Richmond, and, after a period of military service at the end of the Korean conflict, his M.A. (1957) and his Ph.D. (1959) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the faculty of William & Mary in 1961 as an Instructor in what was then called "the Department of Ancient Languages” and became a Chancellor Professor in 1968.
During his tenure at William & Mary, Professor Jones was a master teacher of teachers, counting among his former students many of the best high school Latin teachers in Virginia and many distinguished college and university faculty throughout the country. His Latin courses developed both the linguistic competence and the literary sensitivity of his students to the highest degree possible, and his Classical Civilization courses inspired many to a lifelong interest in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean region. He made himself as available as possible outside of classes as advisor and mentor to students both during and after their time at W&M. Professor Jones’ stellar record of service to professional organizations at every level served to keep the Classics department foremost in the awareness of those who were in positions to recommend its programs to many of the most promising young scholars in the field.
Author of numerous papers read at professional meetings, Professor Jones published two superbly meticulous scholarly editions of previously unpublished manuscripts containing medieval commentaries on Vergil's Aeneid, was co-editor of a third work of similar nature, and assisted in editing a number of Latin documents related to William & Mary’s early history. He retired in 2001 after forty years of distinguished service at William & Mary.
Professor Jones is survived by his two sons, Gordon Bradford Jones of Falls Church, Virginia, and Douglas Ward Jones, of Williamsburg; also by a daughter-in-law, Presie Supremo Jones, and by two grandsons, Xavier Supremo Jones and Zachary Moreno Jones, all also of Williamsburg. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and intellectual companion of 54 years, Elizabeth Frances Hunter Jones, and by his sister, Dorothy Irene Wilkerson.
A funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 1 at Nelsen Funeral Home, and is open to the public. Notes of condolence may be addressed to Douglas Ward Jones, 104 Gilley Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. Donations in his memory may be made to the Williamsburg Baptist Church.
Sincerely,
Peggy
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Peggy Agouris
Provost
