Walker Jones Jr.

Walker William “Sonny” Jones Jr., 88, passed away on Friday morning, August 31, 2012, at his home in Madison, Mississippi. Services will be held at St. Phillips Episcopal Church on Tuesday, September 4th with visitation from 9:30-11:00 and funeral following. A graveside service is set for 4:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, Mississippi at Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

Sonny was born on March 31, 1924, in Meridian, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents Walker William, Sr. and Lena Byrd Jones of Philadelphia, Mississippi and his sister, Dorothy Jones Jackson of Marks, Mississippi who is survived by William Richard “Buddy” Jackson and their three daughters, Robin Jones Jackson, Dorothy “Peaches” Jackson Hamilton and Beth Jackson Finlay.

Sonny grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi. He was a high school track star where he once ran a 9.8 second 100- yard dash when the world record was 9.4 seconds. He was also a high school football standout and received a football scholarship to Mississippi State in 1942. He played at State one year before becoming a member of the “Greatest Generation” entering the US8 Army Air Force to fly B-17 bombers. When WWII ended he returned to Mississippi State and from 1946-1948 played tailback behind his best friend, Shorty McWilliams. When Assistant Coach Bowden Wyatt left Mississippi State to become the head coach at the University of Wyoming, Sonny was recruited by him and played tailback for two years. While there, he earned Honorable Mention All–American, two-time All Skyline Conference, and numerous other honors. In 2008, with his family and friends cheering him on, he was inducted into the University of Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame. At the time of this induction he still held records for longest punt return (87 yards) and kickoff return (100 yards).

After graduation from the University of Wyoming in December 1949, Sonny was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals (later becoming the Bears). George Halas sent him a contract from Chicago offering $4,100. Declining this offer, Sonny figured he should get a “real” job so he started coaching high school track and football at Indianola High School during the 1950’s. He was honored in 2003 by the All American Football Foundation with the President Gerald R. Ford High School Coaching Award. This award was so meaningful because many former players attended, donning their old letter jackets, were present to honor him. After coaching, Sonny moved to Jackson and started a successful business, Walker Jones Equipment Co., acting as CEO and finally retiring 1984.

In 1982 he married the “love of his life”, Jane. They enjoyed many years together, and recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Should anyone ever wonder what love looks like, all they need to see is the life that Jane and Sonny shared together.

Sonny and Jane loved life and enjoyed their many friends and family. He loved entertaining his Wyoming friends at his Jackson Hole home, enjoyed attending football games especially those his son and grandsons were playing in, and never missed an opportunity to brag on his daughters and granddaughters. One of his favorite things to do was sitting on his porch at the Neshoba County Fair and reminiscing about old times growing up in Philadelphia and of his football playing days.

Papa Sonny, as he was affectionately called by his family, survived several heart bypass surgeries. Thankfully, that gave him the opportunity to get to know his great grandchildren and see his legacy passed on. As his family grew so did his love of spending time with them. Papa Sonny lived a great life. He was successful in coaching, business, and life because of one simple reason: he was known for being honest, truthful, compassionate, and a man of his word.

The family extends a special thank you to many caregivers that took care of Sonny over his final days. We particularly want to recognize his doctors: Dr. Heddy Dale Mathias, Dr. Reid Cotton, Dr. Bruce Black, Dr. David Mulholland, and Dr. Greg Boling. These people were invaluable in making not only Sonny comfortable but all of our family as well.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Jane Williamson Jones of Madison; son, Walker William (Bill) Jones III (Candace) of Jackson; granddaughter, Shellie Jones Cheatham (Gunter) of Madison; grandson, Walker William Jones IV (Bethy), great grandchildren , Lilly, Walker William V, and Coulson of Towson, MD; grandson, Adam Holder Jones (Allison), great grandchildren, Holder, Sims, and Garner of Madison; and grandson Boyce Holleman of Jackson; daughter, Gail Jones Pittman (John) of Ridgeland; grandson, John “Sonny” Pittman, Jr. (Patti) great grandchildren, Caroline and Collier of Nashville, TN; granddaughter, Natalie Dillon (Eric), great grandchildren, Anna Gail, Gracie, and John Eric of Madison; son, Norman Weathersby (Ann) grandchildren, Courtney and Blake Gibson of Knoxville, TN; and daughter, Sharon Weathersby of New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dan Williamson (Janice), their son, three daughters and grandchildren all of Mobile, AL.

Pallbearers are Norman Weathersby, Sonny Pittman, Walker Jones, Adam Jones, Boyce Holleman, Frank Williamson, and Blake Gibson, Eric Dillon and Gunter Cheatham.