Expectant mothers often filled the waiting room in Dr. William Collins Jones’ busy North Side office.

They could be there for hours while Dr. Jones handled a delivery at a nearby hospital. But none of the women left because each believed her baby was in the best of hands.

“He had a special relationship with all of his patients, and they revered him as a caring physician,” said his daughter, Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson, a dermatologist and one of three of his children who became doctors.

“We were influenced by seeing all the good he did and how much he enjoyed his work,” she said.

According to his family, Dr. Jones was the first African-American to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology in the city. He delivered more than 8,000 babies during his 54 years practicing medicine.

“He was very proud and humble about his work,” Dr. Johnson said. “Anywhere we went in the city, someone would stop us to remind him of his care or to tell him of being one of his deliveries. He was always grateful for the many people who helped make practicing medicine a joy,” she said.

While his practice was a major focus, Dr. Jones also was devoted to his family and his church, St. Philip’s Episcopal in North Side, Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Jones died Wednesday, July 5, 2017, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 83.

Family and friends celebrated his life Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. He was buried in Roselawn Memory Gardens in Hanover County.

On Tuesday evening, members of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, held a memorial service for him at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel.

A Richmond native, Dr. Jones studied medicine after serving as a lieutenant in the Army.

He began his medical practice in 1968, after earning degrees from Virginia State University and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He also did graduate studies at Howard University and Duke University.

After his medical license expired nearly five years ago, he continued to go to his office at 2908 North Ave. almost daily to swap memories with friends.

He was a member of the National Medical Association and the Medical Society of Virginia.

He also was active in the VSU Athletic Club and was recognized for his contributions to his alma mater by being included on the VSU Wall of Fame.

At St. Philip’s, he served at various times as a junior warden, senior warden, trustee and vestryman.

In addition to Dr. Johnson, survivors include is wife of 59 years, Evora Williams Jones; two sons, Dr. David W. Jones of Atlanta, a pediatrician, and Dr. Mark M. Jones of Chesterfield, an orthopedic surgeon; two other daughters, Lisa Maria Jones Dixon of Columbus, Ohio, and Lori Jones Mason of Raleigh, N.C.; a brother, Dr. Percy E. Jones of Greensboro, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.