July 13, 1948 - November 6, 2013
William R. Jones “Bill”,65 of Lakeside Park, KY passed away on Nov. 6, 2013. He was born in Arcadia, Florida in 1948. He was a 1970 graduate of the University of Florida and held master’s degrees from Lexington Theological Seminary in divinity and from the University of Kentucky in social work. A convert to the Catholic faith, Bill was a member of the parish of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.
Bill had grown up in a devout Methodist family. He came to Kentucky to work as associate pastor of Florence Christian Church, and came to work at Catholic Charities in 1981, as a mental health therapist. He served as Department Chair for Counseling Services, Comptroller and Associate Executive Director, working with Sr. Joan Boberg CDP, Executive Director, in that position from 1995 until her retirement in 2005. Bill became a Catholic in 1987, as a result of his work at Catholic Charities.
Bill was appointed Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities which included Parish Kitchen in September of 2005. The focus of the work of the agency since 2005 has been programming which not only serves those who are most at risk but also new initiatives which lift people from poverty and the other social conditions which prevent them from achieving self-sufficiency. In order to achieve this goal, Bill was instrumental in Catholic Charities forming close financial and programmatic partnerships with government and nongovernmental organizations in ways that use public dollars and draw from the capacity of collaborating agencies. This vision included a stronger relationship with Catholic Charities USA, where Bill was a member of the Board of Trustees.
During his tenure, Catholic Charities purchased a housing facility which supports sixteen families who have a member who is disabled and who were formerly homeless. These services include financial literacy, housing support, job coaching, mentoring for former prison and jail inmates, mental health and parenting services. Because of Bill’s leadership, Catholic Charities purchased the Welcome House building which houses the Parish Kitchen. The building has been rehabbed and continues to function as a shelter operated by Welcome house, and is still the home of Parish Kitchen.
In addition to his work with Catholic Charities, Bill was involved in a wide range of diocesan activities. These included the Ministry Formation Board, the Diocese Pro-Life Advisory Board, the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home Board, the diocesan Long Range Plan Steering Committee, and the HIV/AIDS Task Force. He was appointed to the Campbell Lodge Foundation Board in November, 2012. At the Cathedral, he was a member of the RCIA team. In the wider community, he was a member of the Leadership Council of Human Services Executives.
Nationally, Bill was a member of the Executive Committee of the board of Catholic Charities USA, to which he was appointed in 2009. Prior to this appointment, Bill had been the program chair for Catholic Charities’ annual national meeting committee.
Bill was a visionary leader and was always a powerful advocate for the poor and needy in our community. The staff of Catholic Charities loved and admired Bill for his crusading spirit, his compassion for those in need, his powerful intellect and his strong faith. Bill was an example to everyone who knew him because of the way he put his faith into action in every aspect of his life.
Bill is survived by his Wife: Donna M. Scholer; Uncle & Aunt: Dr. Frank and Reba Platt; Mother-in-Law & Father-in-Law: Veta and Jack Cason; Brothers-in-Law & Sisters-in-Law: Dale, Paul and Jennifer, Debbie, Glenna and Tim, Ted; Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and many Godchildren and many beloved Florida relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption 1140 Madison Ave. Covington, KY 41011 from 11 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the Catholic Charities 3629 Church Street Latonia, KY 41015. Connley Brothers Funeral Home in Latonia, KY is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.connleybrothersfuneralhome.com
Condolences
Dear Donna, for no particular reason this morning – just wondering about Bill as I often do – I googled William R. Jones, Lexington Kentucky, and saw Bill had passed last November. Since we were roommates at CLO, Bill was timelessly present in my heart, as deep a friend as I had in life, and I fully expected to be with him again in the future, and pick up where we left off as if no time had passed. I was so glad he found someone to love and be happy with in you, and appreciated being invited to your wedding. You and Bill were gracious to attend my wedding in California in 1988. I remember that one of your beloved relatives passed while you were at my wedding.
Very Sincerely,
Hal Kuhns
Dear Donna …for no particular reason this morning – just wondering about Bill as I often do – I googled William R. Jones, Lexington Kentucky, and saw Bill had passed last November. Since we were roommates at CLO, Bill was timelessly present in my heart, as deep a friend as I had in life, and I fully expected to be with him again in the future, and pick up where we left off as if no time had passed. I was so glad he found someone to love and be happy with in you, and appreciated being invited to your wedding. You and Bill were gracious to attend my wedding in California in 1988. I remember that one of your beloved relatives passed while you were at my wedding.
Very Sincerely,
Hal Kuhns
Dear Donna,
I just yesterday heard of Bill’s death. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I knew Bill from the Collegiate Living Organization at the University of Florida. What a dear, dear person, and quite the Rennasiance Man. No one could make me laugh like Bill could.
I left for Alaska in 1976 for my Big adventure in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Right before leaving, he gave me a one of his double exposed, black & white photos, of a hand bringing a leaf to an old, barren tree. On the back he wrote, “God’s hand brings green to the barren land—May your hand be his.”
It is still one of my treasured possessions.
My heart goes out to you, Donna. You bore witness to the life of a wonderful man. I hope you are being gentle with yourself, in your time of grief and transition.
Much love, Elaine Carroll Johnston
In 2000 Bill started attending his mother’s,Eleanor Platt (nee), (and my) family reunion. Bill had an insatiable and unbridled interest in the Platt family history and began extensively researching and documenting everything about the family that he could get his hands on. I realized in 2007 that the family needed to compile our history into a book. I originally envisioned a picture book. Bill and I discussed this at our annual family reunion held every October on Breezy Point, Lake Placid, Florida. He decided that he would tackle the project and write the book. And what a wonderful job he did! It’s titled “A Home in the Wilderness” The Story of a Florida Family. It is much more than a picture book. It’s a Platt-Mizell family history that traces our state and family history from the 1500s. The book is much more than I ever expected! I’m so proud of this book and for all of Bill’s hard work. For me this a great legacy for Bill and our family. It will be forever cherished! Zach Platt, II, St. Petersburg, Florida
Donna, I read with sadness the obituary in The Arcadian recently and wanted to send you my deep condolences. Bill was a great man and I know you will miss him terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Janie
I had the honor of serving with Bill on the Diocesan Children’s Home Board. He was a truly dedicated servant to God and his community. I know he is missed by many. Please accept my condolences and prayers.
Michelle Keller
Dear Donna and family,
Please know my deepest sympathies are with you all during this sad time. I feel honored to have known just a small part of Bill through his family history work. He created a meaningful legacy for future generations with his work, “A Home in the Wilderness.” Bill will be long remembered and loved for his efforts to preserve his ancestor’s stories. He exemplified a life well lived. May those memories help you smile in the days ahead.
Bill is my best friend. He is like a father figure to me. I love spending time with him. He is such an unique individual. He introduced me to Leon Redbone, photography, art, and so much more. I baked him a carrot cake, one of his favorites for his birthday every year and put everyone of his candles on the cake. He amazed me and I asked more then one time how he could blow all those candles out with one brief mighty puff. I would sing him happy birthday on his voice mail every 7/13. I will miss celebrating birthdays with him. He loved doing this. I have never met anyone like him. I love his sense of humor and is ability to get away with saying the outrageous at times. I was drawn to him the first moment I met him at church and I am still drawn to him today. Bill I love you and miss you terribly. Donna what a terrible loss. He loved you so and appreciated how well you took care of his mother. I love you, John
I have nothing but good memories of a great man, 30 years after working for him at CSS- May God bring comfort to his family, and may we all remember what he worked for and believed in.
Bill’s colleagues here at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, join the circle mourning Bill’s death. We give thanks for his life among us.
On a personal level I consider it my great, good fortune to have come to know Bill. He was a gentle man. I hope these words will be of comfort to Bill’s family and our brothers and sisters at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Covington.
i want Bill’s family to know how respected and admired he was as a CC colleague. It was my pleasure to get to know Bill many years ago on the Program Committee of CCUSA. I can’t say enough good things about him…he has left this world a much better place. My condolences,especially to you,Donna.
May the peace and joy of Jesus be with Bill and all of you. As he embraced the poor with enthusiasm and love, I am sure Jesus has embraced him. May God bless all of you.
Bill and I go way back to my days at Catholic Charities of St. Louis. We served together on committees of CCUSA.in the 1990s. I admired and respected Bill as a good friend. He is in my prayers.
Bill was fully engaged in the work of Catholic Charities. I have known him for years for his excellent work on the national level. He was a visionary with a keen sense of social justice.
Till we see you again Bill.
Dear Donna,
Time and distance does not deminish the love and friendship put in place so many years ago. My heart is sad for you my friend, but rejoices for the heavenly home Bill now has! Be comforted by all who love and cherish you!…..Cleta
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bill was a faithful and committed servant. He did much for the poor and downtrodden. God bless him and each and all of you.
Sister Fran, Sister of Mercy.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bill was a faithful and committed servant. He did much for the poor and downtrodden. God bless him and each and all of you.
Sister Fran, Sister of Mercy.
Donna
Please accept my condolences.
Bill achieved a level of service to his fellow man that few of us could even contemplate. Certainly it was a path that was hard to see for two friends in high school in Arcadia 48 years ago .
I am proud to have known him.
Bill Hackney
What a loss for all of us! Donna, our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you. Julie and Chuck
donna our love and prayers to you and your family
donna our love and prayers to you and your family
The Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery admired Bill and the work he did with the poor, displaced and needy of Northern Kentucky. We are saddened by his death but know that God is welcoming him as a good man and faithful servant. We will keep him and your in our prayers.
Bill was a inspiration to us in so many ways. I will always remember his impish smile and unbelievable intellect, his untiring leadership, and his love for not only Catholic Charities, but the Catholic faith. Our huge loss, but heaven’s gain! God bless you Bill – Good and faithful servant.
To a great youth leader and friend. Rest in peace.
Jeff
I have never worked for a finer man, mentor and inspirational leader. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.