Willie Jones Jr., 64, passed on Saturday, July 5, 2025 in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. EST Friday, July 11, 2025 Bethel AME Church, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Melissa Smith, pastor and Dr. Wendell Jones, officiating. Burial to follow in Abercrombie Cemetery. Public viewing is 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Mr. Willie Henry Jones, Jr, affectionately known as "Billy" was born November 6, 1960. He was the son of Willie Henry Jones, Sr, Barbara Jean Kelly-Hill and Harry McCoy Hill, Sr. As a youngster he was reared in the red clay hills in a small community call the "Hike." A country boy at heart, he immediately learned the value of family and developed a genuine love for people. This hard-working, family-oriented, gentle soul completed his journey and missions on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as he transitioned from this life to everlasting life with his heavenly Father. Sixty-four years on this journey was rewarded with peaceful rest.

“If I can spread loves message, as the Master taught, then my living shall not be in vain.”

These words served as a message by which Billy lived and was evident as he demonstrated it in his everyday life. Billy knew the love of God and His saving grace because of his adolescent upbringing. However, it wasn't until adulthood that he confessed Christ as his personal Savior and united with The Christ Cathedral Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Albert Jackson. Billy was once a dutiful servant of God as he drove the church van on Sunday mornings. It was with great enthusiastic that he dressed up as "Santa Claus" at Christmas time, ensuring that all the congregants children received toys and candy canes. Billy matriculated through Russell County School System having attended Mount Olive School, home of the Mighty Tigers.

Wearing many hats, Billy was a diligent worker and a "top-notch" mechanic. From "knee-high to duck" he loved fixing on old cars out in the yard. It was no surprise when he became the owner of South Phenix Auto. There he would repair everything, from replacing a car's motor to changing a flat tire. Billy was most definitely the best mechanic "known to man" as he always came to the aide of his family when they were having mechanical issues. Some of his fondest moments was having his baby brother, "Hootie Baby" work alongside him or his oldest niece, Kim stopping by with lunch. Billy loved to cook and was an avid outdoorsman loving to relax by hunting and fishing. After work, he so often carried his grandsons, Vanderrius, Scrap, Tray and Joe to the "Hike" with him as he fed the many hogs he raised. For Deb, Tina, Lisa, Kelly, Tracy, Etta, Jennifer, Fatty, Moe and Tony, he was their patriarch, their brother. For Punkin, he was her dearest friend and devoted companion nearing forty years. For his nieces and nephews, Uncle Billy. For Mia and Charleen, their "Billy Peck." His large statue, yet gentle spirit will be forever branded in the heart and minds of those who knew and loved him beyond measure.

In addition to his parent, Billy was preceded in death by his brothers, Curtis Clinton Hill and Curtis Kelly. Billy leaves to cherish his fondest memories: his loving and dedicated siblings, Debra Spivey, KaTina Hill, Lisa Hill, Kelly Hill, Tracy Hill, Jennifer Cooper, Etta Bellamy, Larry Jones, Harry (Lavetta) Hill, Jr and Tony Hill, Sr; Aunt, Katie Mae Kelly; companion, Deloris Thomas; best friend, John Henry Spivey; nieces, nephew, great nephews and nieces, two bonus daughters, eight bonus grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a host of other relatives, friends and loved ones.