Billie "Bill" Ray Jones

Billie Ray Jones was born on January 16, 1939 in Snowball, Arkansas to Fay and Cozette Jones. He passed from this life on June 3, 2024 at home with his family by his side. 

After attending college at The School of the Ozarks, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961. He completed his basic training at Ft. Chaffee, AR and his advanced training at Ft. Sill, OK before being deployed to Germany for eighteen months. While in Germany he played on the Army’s basketball team, baseball team and was the water boy for the football team. 

Bill was a hard worker who played as hard as he worked. He loved to hunt and fish, but his favorite thing to do was to drive the boat while teaching others to water ski. 

Bill was especially proud of the two AR Game and Fish Triple Trophies he was awarded for killing a deer with each his muzzle loader, modern gun and crossbow. 

On October 8, 1964, Bill married his sweetheart, Troylene Taylor. Together they raised their children in the Avilla Community where they have called home since 1971. Bill and Troylene are members of the Avilla Missionary Baptist Church. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Fay and Cozette Jones, three brothers; Darrell, Keith and Maxcie Jones, one sister: Darlene Rea. 

Bill will be deeply missed by his surviving family members: His wife of 59 ½ years: Troylene, Son: Michael Ray Jones (Jamie), Daughter: Kelli Gaylo (Mark), Three brothers: Millis Jones (Millie), Kenny Jones (Loretta) and Royce Jones (Lena), One sister: Sharlene Hudson (Wayne), sisters and brother-in-law, Nancy Jones, Lynn Jones, and Bob Rea, his special buddies: Great, Great Nephews Abram, Hatcher, Harley and Rush, and a host of other family members and friends. 

Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015 on Monday, June 10, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at the McDaniel Cemetery in Snowball, 205 Shade Tree Road, Marshall, AR on Tuesday June 11, 2024 at 1:00. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the McDaniel Cemetery Fund, 133 Comedy Dr., Marshall, AR 72650.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith Benton Funeral Home.