Willie Hamilton Jones

January 31, 2021

Willie Hamilton Jones, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 27, 2021,
with his wife, Donna, by his side.

Willie was born on November 10, 1925, in Hartford, Alabama, to Ira and Dora (nee Godwin)
Jones.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Ford, Langford, and Bob, his loving
sisters, Martha Gavin and Myrtle Allen, and his grandson, Alonzo Lee Kent, III. In addition to
being survived by his wife, Donna (nee McNary), to whom he was married for thirty-seven
years, Willie is survived by his sons Jerry (Cathy), Jimmy (Becky) and Joe (Cathy), and his
daughters, Janice (Alonzo “Lonnie”), Kimberly (Tom) and Tammy, as well as his eleven (11)
grandchildren, thirteen (13) great-grandchildren, and his loyal companion, Princess.

Willie served in the United States Merchant Marines traveling around the world providing
support to Allied troops toward the end of World War II. Willie remembered details from each
port of call and enjoyed sharing stories from his adventures across the globe.

Willie is recognized as being a pioneer in the farming community. He farmed cotton, peanuts,
corn and soybeans across Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama. In addition to his crops, his
operations, among others, included Turkey Trot Ranch in Monroeville, Alabama, and Jones
Flying Service, in Jay, Florida.

Willie loved feeding things (two- and four-legged alike), bringing home orphaned animals, and
had a habit of buying the craziest heifer at the livestock auction. A twinkle in his eye meant a
horse had a new home at Willie Way. And there was rarely a muddy hole in which he didn’t find
himself stuck.

Willie had a nickname for everyone, each as endearing as the next. He was kind, generous, hard-
working, and genuinely interested in the lives of others and nurturing the land. He believed in a
second chance and lending a hand. He was full of wisdom that he earned the Willie Way.

He was, indeed, a Gentle Giant. To love him made you stronger and to be loved by him was
home.

Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is handling arrangements.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021, 1:00 p.m., at Pine Level Baptist
Church, 3300 Pine Level Church Road, Jay, FL.

Pallbearers are Lyonel Kent (Knoxville, TN); Stephen Jones (Jay, FL); Jerod Jones (Jay, FL);
Ryan Siyufy (Pace, FL); Ryan Williams (Monroeville, AL); Tom Maners (Decaturville, TN);
Christopher Payne (Scotts Hill, TN); and Travis Johnson (Flomaton, AL). Honorary Pallbearers
are Roy “Bo” Allen (Jay, FL); Aubrey Adams (Brewton, AL); James E. “Jimmy” Jones
(Chumuckla, FL); and John Jones (Paris, TN).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Willie H. Jones Future Farmers
Scholarship Fund which will be awarded annually to a graduating
senior who has shown a commitment to farming. #WillieWay

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries