On Saturday, June 11, 2022, Wilma Lou Jones, beloved mother of three daughters, died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 83 in Coos Bay, Oregon.  Wilma was born on February 5, 1939, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to Henry Harrison Hyatte and Freda Elizabeth (Bettin) Hyatte.  Wilma graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1957.  She married her first husband Howard Bryan “Bundy” Spears on June 1, 1957.  They had three daughters:  Bonnie A. Spears, Lorie M. Bagley, and Sherrie L. Lane.  After divorcing Bundy, Wilma married Paul J. Jones on August 3, 1979.  Paul died October 20, 2006.  Wilma never remarried.

Wilma grew up in northern Indiana, living in Valparaiso, Union Mills, Mishawaka, Rolling Prairie, and South Bend.  Later in life, she and Paul split their time between South Bend and Mesa, Arizona.  She moved to Apple Valley, California, in 2015 and spent the last year of her life in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Wilma worked most of her life:  as a telephone operator, as a factory worker, as a waitress, as a prep cook, and as the owner/operator of The Villa Truckstop.  Interestingly enough, despite her years in food service, she was not a great cook, although she could make a mean pot of green beans and bacon, fluffy homemade noodles for beef and noodles, and ugly but tasty biscuits.

Wilma found time for a variety of hobbies. She enjoyed volleyball and bowling when she was younger (and always bowled left-handed though she was predominantly right-handed).  She liked playing cards throughout her life, especially pinochle.  Bingo was her game of choice in Oregon.  Wilma was also an avid doll collector and was especially fond of her Xena dolls and Beauty and the Beast dolls.  She had a soft spot for animals and owned a number of dogs and cats over the years:  Dusty, Gary, Bullet, Checkers, Penny, Mittens, Lady, and Xena. 

Wilma is preceded in death by her mother and father as well as both of her husbands.  She is survived by her “special sister” Lauretta “Lori” King, her cousin Ilaine Church, her niece Carolyn McKean, her nephews Glenn “Junie” Hyatte Jr. and Arthur “Butch” Hiland as well her three daughters, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.  She will be missed by all of them.

No service is planned.  Her ashes will be scattered over the graves of her mother and father in the San Pierre Public Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers or cards, the family suggests a donation to the ASPCA in her memory.