Billy Ray Jones

June 29, 1929 - August 30, 2015

Mr. Billy Ray Jones, age 86, husband of Faye Jones, and a resident of Paul Drive in Columbia, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, August 30, 2015 at his residence. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. David Morris and Keith Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM and again one hour prior to the service on Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Born on June 29, 1929 in the Sawdust Community of Maury County, Billy Ray was the son of the late Thomas "Tommy" Franklin Jones and the late Oakie Lee Lentz Jones. He was descended from the early Pioneers of Maury County with roots extending back for over 200 years. Billy Ray served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany. He married Reva Faye Blocker on September 10, 1950. He was a member of Highland Church of Christ. Billy Ray was a butcher at Oscar Hardison Grocery in Columbia for seventeen years prior to becoming an automobile mechanic. He started his work as a mechanic at Parks Motor Sales until he decided to start his own business where he was co-owner of Yeager & Jones Automotive. After selling Yeager & Jones Automotive, he worked at Sloan Ford for many years until he retired. Working on cars was not only a job, but a hobby for Billy Ray. He was most proud of his 1941 Ford pick-up truck that he restored over the years. He was a well-liked man who had a good sense of humor and would often play practical jokes. Billy Ray also enjoyed being outdoors and feeding the squirrels. In addition to his wife, Faye, of nearly 65 years, he is survived by his sons: Barry (Rosemary) Jones of Chapel Hill, Thomas "Kenny" (Carol) Jones of Memphis; daughter: Janet Jones Wright of Santa Fe; sister: Clara Jones Bean of Soddy Daisy; grandchildren: Kara Wright Fowley, Bill (Heather) Jones, Hailey (Craig) Lowe, Benjamin Jones, Anna Jones; and great-grandchildren: Weston Jones and Avery Lowe. Pallbearers will be Frank Woody, Craig Lowe, Frank Lindsey, Ben Jones, Bill Jones, Jerry Blocker, Walter Hurt, and Larry Holden. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Ray's former co-workers of Sloan Ford.