Billy Jones

Shelby County

Billy Gene Jones of Shelby County, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017, surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. Billy was born March 22, 1932, to Ernie “Rabbit” Jones and Mary (Fisher) Jones.

Billy was a 1950 graduate of Edinburgh High School. He began working at Cummins Engine Company in 1950. He enlisted in the Navy in February 1952 and served until January 1956. He married Donnis Thompson on Aug. 23, 1957, at the Edinburgh United Methodist Church. She proceeded him in death on July 8, 2014. He retired from Cummins Engine Company in July 1985 after 35 years of service.

He was the father of five children, Cathy Ping of Shelbyville, Patti (David) Boggs of Shelbyville, Ernie (Trudy) Jones of Franklin, Casey (Nova) Jones of Edinburgh and Toby (Mark) Carr of Edinburgh, they all survive. He is also survived by a brother, Terry Jones of Edinburgh. He was grandfather to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He worked at Cummins to earn his living, but he was a builder at heart. During his lifetime, he and his wife built three homes for their family, each one bigger and better than the last. He was also a part-time farmer and loved bush-hogging, cutting and splitting firewood and any other kind of work he would find to do. His work was never done. Even when there wasn’t really anything that needed done, he invented projects to keep he and his son, Casey, busy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Lewis Burton on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Who-So-Ever-Will Community Church in Edinburgh. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 and from 11 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to The National Kidney Foundation.

Arrangements made by Eskew-Eaton Funeral Home in Edinburgh.