Voices of the Past will showcase an interesting person or family within the Cemetery each week.
William Arthur Jones
Born: March 26, 1896
Died: November 29, 1916, aged 20
Located in Old Section A, lot 66
William A. Jones, of Margaret Street in Munhall, was a member of the University of Pittsburgh's Dental School football team, playing as a tackle. He was the son of James W. and Ellen (Morris) Jones, both of Wales.
During a scrimmage in Irwin on November 3, 1916, he was kicked in the spine. He watched the remainder of the game from the sidelines, apparently in good spirits and without issue.
After returning home from the game, he complained of pains at the site of his injury. He was taken to Passavant Hospital, where paralysis quickly set in. He succumbed to the paralysis by months end.
He was a son of contractor James W. and Ellen (Morris) Jones, both of Wales, and left three sisters, Adelaide Jones, Helena D. Jones, and Minnie P. Jones. He and his family were members of the Episcopal Church.
His funeral arrangements were handled by the Gillen & Coulter Funeral Home.
Information gathered from:
"Football Injury Proves Fatal to Munhall Youth," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 30 November 1916, p. 15.
"Footballist Dies," the Spanish Fork Press (Spanish Fork, Utah), 07 December 1916, p. 6.
1910 United States Federal Census (Year: 1910; Census Place: Munhall, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1296; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0168; FHL microfilm: 1375309)
Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 118871-122120