W.J. Jones
1886-1972

W. J. Jones had come west to the Northwest Territories from his home in Perth, Ontario in 1904. The Canadian Confederation was about to expand with the formation of Saskatchewan and Alberta and like many other young men of his generation "Bill" had followed the call to come west and to build a future in the newly opened prairie farmlands.

Bill settled in Moose Jaw and was followed in 1906 by his brother Fred and in 1910 by his parents and other members of the family. The family took up farming in the area west of Assiniboia in a place known as Jonesville. Jonesville officially became  known as the village of Valour, Saskatchewan.

Bill Jones became a skilled craftsman in carpentry and wood finishing in the old country tradition.  He entered into partnership with a number of other individuals over the years eventually forming his own company " W. J. Jones Construction" .   W. J. Jones  Construction was the main contractor for many fine buildings and homes in Moose Jaw and District. One of the most outstanding structures that he constructed was the Lasby Barn. This magnificent structure can still be seen northeast of the city from the Trans-Canada Highway bypass.

While he was still in the construction business and briefly in the real estate business  Bill learned a great deal about people.  He had a wonderful personality and loved to spend time with people.  He became well known throughout the area for the quality of his work and his interest in the community, its people and institutions. During his early years in Moose Jaw Bill Jones had developed a reputation as a community person who understood the needs of his fellow citizens.  He was well known and liked throughout his entire life. In his later years "Bill" became known affectionately as "Grandpa Jones". He continued to be active in the community and interested in people until his death in 1972.

Irwin Jones 1912-1995

It was Irwin Jones,  W.J.'s son, who had the initial interest in Funeral Service.  The W.J. Jones Construction company had contracted to do some construction and repairs to the N.J. Bellamy Funeral Home on Main St. N. (at the current site of Tim Horton's). While completing the renovations and repairs to the building,  Irwin had an opportunity to observe the routine of the business and to talk to the staff of the Funeral Home. He became so interested that he asked the late Jack Droppo, the manager of Bellamy's  if he might come to work for the Bellamy Funeral Home.

Irwin completed his apprenticeship with Bellamy Funeral Home in 1935.  He worked for Bellamy's in Moose Jaw  and the Johnson - Murphy Funeral Home in Regina  from 1935 - 1938. In 1939 he returned to his fathers construction business.

At the urging of family and friends;  father and son were encouraged to enter in to a business that combined the skills of the craftsman,  the love of community and the need to serve people. On March 9, 1940  father and son began the W.J.Jones and Son Funeral Home.

Don is President of W. J. Jones & Son and is a third generation Funeral Service provider. He began his career in Funeral Service in 1961 working with his Grandfather the late W. J. Jones and his father the late Irwin Jones. "Our family serving your family" continues to be our commitment to South Central Saskatchewan.

In April of 1994 Don's son Darren received his certificate as a Licensed Embalmer and in the fall of 1995, Kerri, Don's daughter joined the firm and serves as our receptionist and office administrator. Darren and Kerri mark the fourth generation in the family business.