Obituaries

Bill Barnes of Jenness Pond Road died quietly on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at a nursing home in Deerfield at the age of 96.

William “Bill” Arthur Barnes II was born on January 25, 1914 in Marston, MO, a town which was founded by his grandfather.  Bill’s father, William “Mr. Willy” Barnes, owned and operated the town’s general store and post office in Marston.  Bill had three older sisters, Lois, Wilma, and Rose and graduated from high school in Marston, being the only male in a graduating class of six.

Bill moved to Chicago, IL where he was hired by the A&P Grocery Market and worked his way to assistant manager.  While working at the A&P, Bill met Olive Yost, a native of Chicago, and they married on August 1, 1937.

In 1941 Bill was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Identification Division in Washington, DC. He was a fingerprint man and after 30 years of loyal, dedicated service, Bill achieved the highest possible clerical position in his division, Unit Supervisor.  He retired from the FBI in 1971, having had a distinguished career with multiple awards and achievements. 

He also furthered his education by attending the District of Columbia Teacher’s College, Southeastern University, and George Washington University, obtaining Master’s degrees in Business Administration and in Science and Transportation. 

After retiring, Bill and Olive lived the quiet life along the banks of the Patuxent River in Calvert County, MD, and later on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Lusby, MD.  One of Bill’s passions was writing poetry.  Many of his poems were dedicated to the true love of his life – Olive – whom he adored and cared for until she passed away on November 2, 2008 after 71 years of marriage.   Bill was a Mason.  He enjoyed family gatherings, talking politics and family history.  He and Olive would work crossword puzzles together every day.  He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Bill was once asked what he considered to be the greatest achievement of his life.  He replied that it was raising his four wonderful children who have all done very well for themselves.

Bill and Olive raised their four surviving children in the suburbs of Seat Pleasant and College Park, MD.  Their children are William Arthur (Marston) Barnes III, Bonnie Olive (Barnes) Bennett, Garry Edward Winston Barnes, and Gregory Dale Carmack Barnes.  Bill and Olive have 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.