Billy Jones

Billy Frank Jones, a Traverse City, Mich., resident and Obion County native, died in Traverse City March 3, 2021, following complications from a surgical procedure.
He was born July 3, 1930, the son of Clyde Thomas and Maggie Belle (Grimes) Jones in the Ebenezer community. He attended Ebenezer School until his family moved to Weakley County in 1940, then to Pontiac, Mich., during World War II. In 1945, he returned to Obion County with his grandparents, Tom W. and Donnie (Rickman) Jones. As a young man, he worked as a farmhand for Will Muse and at the Hornbeak Gin.
In 1951, he was drafted into the USMC and served as a corporal in the 8th Tank Battalion until 1953. After his USMC service, he returned to Pontiac and became a Pontiac police officer for several years, eventually leaving the police department for the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors, where he worked in the foundry as a coremaker, retiring in 1986.
He was the grandson of Thomas W. and Donnie Mae (Rickman) Jones and James C. and Maggie Belle (Deen) Grimes.
He is survived by his wife Gaynelle; children, David (Patricia) Jones, Cheryl Jones and Tamara (Don) Clayton; stepson, Mark (Denise) Gage; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his brother, James (Carol) Jones.
He was also preceded in death by his sister, Velma Kingsbury; brothers, Carmen Jones, Raymond Jones and an infant brother; and stepdaughters, Terry Gage and April Justice.
Billy was cremated and his cremains will be interred at a later date. Life Story Funeral Home in Traverse City is in charge of arrangements.