William C. Jones - class of 1960 - always an excellent student and band member, Bill was also a track member in high school and lettered three years winning the high and low hurdles and finishing second in the long jump his senior year at the Mon Valley Track and Field meet. After graduation, Bill was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado to further his education. While at Air Force, Bill continued in track and lettered four years and was the team captain his senior year. After graduating from Air Force, Bill was commissioned to Second Lieutenant in 1964 and received his BS degree in military science with anticipation of making a career in the military. Lt. Jones immediately started to train as a fighter pilot shortly after the beginning of the Vietnam War. From 1964 to 1967, Lt. Jones continued his fighter pilot training around the country and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. Also in 1967, Lt. Jones was assigned to the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli, Thailand, where he flew 189 combat missions, 123 of those over North Vietnam, for over 562 combat hours. After his tour of duty in Vietnam, Lt. Jones returned stateside to resume his military career at various Air Force bases around the country, mostly in Virginia, and rising through the ranks of Captain in 1971, Major in 1976, Lieutenant Colonel in 1982, Colonel in 1992, and then finally to Brigadier General in 1998. He also advanced as a fighter pilot to F-16 Fighting Falcons with over 6,000 flying hours. General Jones retired in 2001 as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air at the Headquarters of the Virginia Air National Guard, based at Richmond International Airport in Sandston, Virginia with numerous major awards and decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Vietnam Service Medal. After retirement, Jones was a corporate pilot for a while, as well as a high school track coach. He now participates in a community band in Virginia where he has made a home with his family. General Jones returned to Donora in 2011 to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Monongahela Valley Veteran's Day parade.