Billy Ray Jones

Bill was born on October 4, 1944 in Coleman, Texas to Douglas and Ozella Jones and grew up in Goldthwaite, Texas. While growing up he was always surrounded by his brothers Ron and Rick, and sister Linda. He enjoyed playing basketball and early on developed his love for sports. He went on to Durham’s Business College in Austin to get his computer programmer associates degree in 1966. He then joined the US Air Force where he was stationed at the US Air Force Security service base in Samsun, Turkey for one year and then at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas from 1968 until 1970, and remained in the reserves until his honorable discharge in 1972. He moved to Dallas in 1970 and gained his Associates of science degree from Dallas County Community College in 1976. It was during this time that he met Maryjean Jones, his future wife of 46 years.

Bill and Jean moved to Garland where they lived for 27 years and raised their family before later moving to Sachse, Texas. He began working with computers in the air force and began his career as a computer programmer in 1976. He was initially employed at Transport Insurance before moving on to The City of Garland, then Resistol Hats and then to Eljer Industries. In 1989, he started his job at EDS/HP as a senior computer programmer analyst and he would work there until he retired in April of 2011. His greatest joy in life was watching his children grow, his son Chris and his daughter Denise. He was always at every event in their lives from dance and drill team performances for Denise to band half time shows and concerts for Chris. He had the honor of walking Denise down the aisle at her wedding to his cherished son-in-law Adam. His most recent role was the role of Pawpaw to his greatest blessings, his granddaughters, Kerrigan and Campbell. He was always bringing over breakfast, a surprise book or stuffed animal, and he loved to cook blueberry pancakes for the girls on Saturday mornings.

Bill had many hobbies that he enjoyed. He had a love for animals and was the best caretaker of all of his dogs, but most recently his dog Mina. He loved to cook and grill, loved working in his garden, loved to give you the weather report and to chat about current events, loved spending time with family and most of all loved serving his family and others. He loved to watch any and all sports but in particular loved all of the Dallas teams. He was a devoted husband to Jean and loved to listen to all kinds of music. He had a heart of kindness, was loving, reliable, humble, and the most supportive person. Bill was like no other and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Ozella Jones, his in-laws Catherine & Scott Jackson, his brother Ron Jones, his brother in-law Noel Licker, and his sister in-law Diane Jones. He is survived by his loving wife Jean Jones; his son Chris Jones; his daughter and son-in-law Denise and Adam Mitchell; his granddaughters Kerrigan and Campbell Mitchell; his sister Linda Licker; his brother Rick Jones; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dan and Sue Jackson; beloved nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 1:00p.m., at Canyon Creek Country Club, 625 W. Lookout Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that a donation be made to the National Kidney Foundation in his honor.

https://support.kidney.org/give/464210/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=email_appeal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=EllieNKMVid23&utm_campaign=nationalkidneymonth&c_src=EllieNKMVid23