William "Billy" Lanier Jones, 72, of New Albany, was born on March 12, 1950, to Thomas W and Katherine McNeely Jones of Holly Springs. He died in New Albany on December 13, 2022, following a brief illness.
Billy is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Diane M Jones; his daughter Katherine E Jones; his sisters Diane J Frederick (Mitch) and Tina J Van (Chris), and a grandson, Thomas Jones. Billy loved his many nieces and nephews and was especially close to Abby and Andrew Van and Paige Seward (Cory). Gag gifts to them at Christmas, on birthdays, or special occasions, were one of his favorite things to do. Any monetary gift always included taxes.
In 2000, Billy retired from the Department of Human Services after almost 30 years of service. His avocation was house painter, and in that profession he and his partner, Kenny Rose painted just about every antebellum home in Holly Springs, as well as thousands of others.
Full of mischief and with a dry sense of humor, once you met him, you were not likely to forget him. When he and Diane traveled, it was not unusual for people to hail his name from across an airport concourse. Everyone knew him and he loved seeing and talking to his friends.
Billy was a very caring person and frequently helped people, but never wanted it broadcast. Performing random acts of kindness, especially if the need involved children or the elderly, was something he did regularly. Billy much preferred to be know as a "grumpy old bear" or the Grinch, and had the t-shirts to prove it!
He loved his dogs. In his retirement years, Muffin or Percy were often seen at his side, and Billy spoiled them rotten. Little Percy is already feeling the loss.
Billy's favorite hobby was genealogy. He got his exercise walking the cemeteries of North Mississippi, recording tombstones, and posting the information to the Find A Grave website. He developed that interest as a young man who worked for many years with his father at Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
Billy was a Christian, having been raised in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, and more recently he had become a member of Bethlehem Church of New Albany.
Graveside services for Billy will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30 am, at Hill Crest Cemetery. An open visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am, at the Holly Springs Funeral Home, and continue until 11:00. Pall bearers will be Thomas Jones, Andrew Van, Chris Van, Mitch Frederick, Wally McAlexander, and Kenny Rose. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Bishop and Victor Luna. Reverend Greg Meek and Reverend Doctor Jeff Lawrence will conduct the services.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Church, 1560 CR 81, New Albany, Mississippi 38652, or Save1Pet, P O Box 1335, Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654.
Holly Springs Funeral Home
Hollly Springs, MS
Dec 15, 2022
Billy is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Diane M Jones; his daughter Katherine E Jones; his sisters Diane J Frederick (Mitch) and Tina J Van (Chris), and a grandson, Thomas Jones. Billy loved his many nieces and nephews and was especially close to Abby and Andrew Van and Paige Seward (Cory). Gag gifts to them at Christmas, on birthdays, or special occasions, were one of his favorite things to do. Any monetary gift always included taxes.
In 2000, Billy retired from the Department of Human Services after almost 30 years of service. His avocation was house painter, and in that profession he and his partner, Kenny Rose painted just about every antebellum home in Holly Springs, as well as thousands of others.
Full of mischief and with a dry sense of humor, once you met him, you were not likely to forget him. When he and Diane traveled, it was not unusual for people to hail his name from across an airport concourse. Everyone knew him and he loved seeing and talking to his friends.
Billy was a very caring person and frequently helped people, but never wanted it broadcast. Performing random acts of kindness, especially if the need involved children or the elderly, was something he did regularly. Billy much preferred to be know as a "grumpy old bear" or the Grinch, and had the t-shirts to prove it!
He loved his dogs. In his retirement years, Muffin or Percy were often seen at his side, and Billy spoiled them rotten. Little Percy is already feeling the loss.
Billy's favorite hobby was genealogy. He got his exercise walking the cemeteries of North Mississippi, recording tombstones, and posting the information to the Find A Grave website. He developed that interest as a young man who worked for many years with his father at Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
Billy was a Christian, having been raised in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, and more recently he had become a member of Bethlehem Church of New Albany.
Graveside services for Billy will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30 am, at Hill Crest Cemetery. An open visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am, at the Holly Springs Funeral Home, and continue until 11:00. Pall bearers will be Thomas Jones, Andrew Van, Chris Van, Mitch Frederick, Wally McAlexander, and Kenny Rose. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Bishop and Victor Luna. Reverend Greg Meek and Reverend Doctor Jeff Lawrence will conduct the services.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Church, 1560 CR 81, New Albany, Mississippi 38652, or Save1Pet, P O Box 1335, Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654.
Holly Springs Funeral Home
Hollly Springs, MS
Dec 15, 2022
William "Billy" Lanier Jones, 72, of New Albany, was born on March 12, 1950, to Thomas W and Katherine McNeely Jones of Holly Springs. He died in New Albany on December 13, 2022, following a brief illness.
Billy is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Diane M Jones; his daughter Katherine E Jones; his sisters Diane J Frederick (Mitch) and Tina J Van (Chris), and a grandson, Thomas Jones. Billy loved his many nieces and nephews and was especially close to Abby and Andrew Van and Paige Seward (Cory). Gag gifts to them at Christmas, on birthdays, or special occasions, were one of his favorite things to do. Any monetary gift always included taxes.
In 2000, Billy retired from the Department of Human Services after almost 30 years of service. His avocation was house painter, and in that profession he and his partner, Kenny Rose painted just about every antebellum home in Holly Springs, as well as thousands of others.
Full of mischief and with a dry sense of humor, once you met him, you were not likely to forget him. When he and Diane traveled, it was not unusual for people to hail his name from across an airport concourse. Everyone knew him and he loved seeing and talking to his friends.
Billy was a very caring person and frequently helped people, but never wanted it broadcast. Performing random acts of kindness, especially if the need involved children or the elderly, was something he did regularly. Billy much preferred to be know as a "grumpy old bear" or the Grinch, and had the t-shirts to prove it!
He loved his dogs. In his retirement years, Muffin or Percy were often seen at his side, and Billy spoiled them rotten. Little Percy is already feeling the loss.
Billy's favorite hobby was genealogy. He got his exercise walking the cemeteries of North Mississippi, recording tombstones, and posting the information to the Find A Grave website. He developed that interest as a young man who worked for many years with his father at Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
Billy was a Christian, having been raised in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, and more recently he had become a member of Bethlehem Church of New Albany.
Graveside services for Billy will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30 am, at Hill Crest Cemetery. An open visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am, at the Holly Springs Funeral Home, and continue until 11:00. Pall bearers will be Thomas Jones, Andrew Van, Chris Van, Mitch Frederick, Wally McAlexander, and Kenny Rose. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Bishop and Victor Luna. Reverend Greg Meek and Reverend Doctor Jeff Lawrence will conduct the services.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Church, 1560 CR 81, New Albany, Mississippi 38652, or Save1Pet, P O Box 1335, Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654.
Holly Springs Funeral Home
Hollly Springs, MS
Dec 15, 2022
Billy is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Diane M Jones; his daughter Katherine E Jones; his sisters Diane J Frederick (Mitch) and Tina J Van (Chris), and a grandson, Thomas Jones. Billy loved his many nieces and nephews and was especially close to Abby and Andrew Van and Paige Seward (Cory). Gag gifts to them at Christmas, on birthdays, or special occasions, were one of his favorite things to do. Any monetary gift always included taxes.
In 2000, Billy retired from the Department of Human Services after almost 30 years of service. His avocation was house painter, and in that profession he and his partner, Kenny Rose painted just about every antebellum home in Holly Springs, as well as thousands of others.
Full of mischief and with a dry sense of humor, once you met him, you were not likely to forget him. When he and Diane traveled, it was not unusual for people to hail his name from across an airport concourse. Everyone knew him and he loved seeing and talking to his friends.
Billy was a very caring person and frequently helped people, but never wanted it broadcast. Performing random acts of kindness, especially if the need involved children or the elderly, was something he did regularly. Billy much preferred to be know as a "grumpy old bear" or the Grinch, and had the t-shirts to prove it!
He loved his dogs. In his retirement years, Muffin or Percy were often seen at his side, and Billy spoiled them rotten. Little Percy is already feeling the loss.
Billy's favorite hobby was genealogy. He got his exercise walking the cemeteries of North Mississippi, recording tombstones, and posting the information to the Find A Grave website. He developed that interest as a young man who worked for many years with his father at Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
Billy was a Christian, having been raised in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, and more recently he had become a member of Bethlehem Church of New Albany.
Graveside services for Billy will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30 am, at Hill Crest Cemetery. An open visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am, at the Holly Springs Funeral Home, and continue until 11:00. Pall bearers will be Thomas Jones, Andrew Van, Chris Van, Mitch Frederick, Wally McAlexander, and Kenny Rose. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Bishop and Victor Luna. Reverend Greg Meek and Reverend Doctor Jeff Lawrence will conduct the services.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Church, 1560 CR 81, New Albany, Mississippi 38652, or Save1Pet, P O Box 1335, Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654.
Holly Springs Funeral Home
Hollly Springs, MS
Dec 15, 2022
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