Willie Lee "The Giant" Jones

65, of Palmetto, died Friday, January 24, 2014 in Palmetto. Services will be at 11am, Saturday, February 1, 2014, at St. John First Baptist Institutional Church, 1108 29th Street, East, Palmetto, with Dr. F. D. Brown, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm, Friday, January 31, at the Church. Westside Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born in Manatee County, to the late Louis Johnson, Sr. and Sallie Mae Jones. He was a 1968 graduate of Lincoln Memorial High School, completed four years of college at the University of Tampa, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Being a sports advocate, he played football throughout his entire high school and college careers. He was raised by his grandmother, the late Hattie Sanders until he completed college, after which time he continued to reside in Palmetto. He was a member of St. John First Baptist Institutional Church, Palmetto, FL; was employed by the City of Palmetto's Parks and Recreation Department, was a hard working man, one who was "selfless", and was willing to help everybody - in any way possible. He was a "People Person". He was one that really believed in the field of Education, with a hobby of fishing. He was preceded in death by his father and other. Survivors include: one daughter, Angela Simpson of Sarasota; two sisters: Delores Jenkins of South Carolina, and Marilyn Johnson Allen of Palmetto; four brothers: Louis Johnson, Jr., Alfonza Johnson, C. J. Livenston and Wendall Lane all of Sarasota; six grandchildren: Portia Waiters, Alicia Waiters both of Palmetto, the one he raised from birth, Shanathan Martin of Palmetto, Desmond Barber, Daisha Simpson, Jonquez Simpson of Sarasota; three great-grandchildren; he leaves to mourn a large number of nieces and nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends, including Arnold Brown, and Sheila Wilson, along with her children, Chantle Sailes and Randy Kelly, Sr.