William Madison Jones, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio
He was born on June 13, 1953, in Youngstown to William and Mary-Helen (Houge) Jones.
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Throughout his life, he was known for his sarcastic humor, unwavering work ethic and deep love for storytelling, whether through his vast comic book collection or by reenacting historical battle scenes with his grandsons. He will be remembered for the warmth, strength and joy he brought to everyone around him.
Billy grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was instilled with a strong sense of responsibility by his mother. During his youth, Billy developed a love for history, adventure and passions that would stay with him throughout his life
After graduating from South High School, Billy answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and dedicated four years to the Corps, where he demonstrated honor, discipline and leadership. As a patriot, Billy's meritorious service to humanity and country in the armed services would continue beyond this enlistment.
Billy then served in the United States Army for 16 more years as a skilled mechanic. In this role, Billy took great pride in maintaining and repairing essential equipment. His fellow servicemen remember him as dependable and dedicated, with a quick smile and a steady hand in every challenge. His military career took him across the globe, allowing him to travel with his family and expose them to diverse environments and cultures, including memorable postings in Japan and Germany.
Billy served honorably during the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm. His dedication to duty and his country was evident in every role he took on and his sense of responsibility and pride in service deeply shaped his life and the lives of those around him.
Following his storied military career, Billy returned to Youngstown and was employed at KraftMaid, where he remained for 19 years. At KraftMaid, he was known as a diligent and friendly coworker. Billy took satisfaction in the quality of his work and was always willing to mentor younger employees. His steady presence and good humor brightened the workshop, making a lasting impression on those who worked alongside him.
In his free time, Billy nurtured a lifelong passion for collecting comic books. He cherished these stories and characters, often using them to connect with others, especially his grandson. A natural storyteller, Billy would carefully recreate military battle scenes from his favorite books, building detailed models and sharing historical tales. Teaching and playing with his grandsons brought him immense joy. He loved passing along lessons about history, bravery and imagination, instilling in them a sense of wonder and a love for learning through play. Billy also was a champion for his beloved Cleveland Browns.
Billy married his high school sweetheart, the former, Linda V. Deloche' and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage marked by love and partnership. They raised five children and built a warm, welcoming home rooted in love, discipline and deep family values.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Kimberly V., Catherine W. (Sirlen), Erica L. and William M., Jr., all of Youngstown, Ohio and Fanta A. of Greensboro, North Carolina and his six grandsons, Donavan, Maurice, Nazier, Kweli, Carter and Malachi, each of whom brought him endless joy and pride; siblings, Donald (Karen) Jones of Youngstown, Ohio, Diane M. Jones of Paris, France and Sherri L. Jones of Baltimore, Maryland; brother-in-law, Vincent C. Mack of Youngstown, Ohio and many nieces, nephews and cousins
He was an endlessly proud husband and father, always supportive of his wife and his children. To Billy, family came above all else, he was happiest surrounded by loved ones, whether cheering at his grandsons' little league games or gathering around the table for dinner. He also found companionship and joy in his beloved pets, Leonidas and Spike, whose presence brought him daily comfort and laughter. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, through the values he taught and the laughter he shared.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elizabeth A. Jones; brother, Lowell Jones; brother-in-law, Ronald J. Deloche' and nephew, Jason L. Olds.
Billy will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his kind heart, his unwavering dedication to family and country and the light he brought into the lives of all who knew him. His memory will continue to inspire those he leaves behind. His life was a tapestry of service, sacrifice, wisdom and deep love. He leaves behind a family grounded by his examples, strong, kind and united. Though he has departed this earth, his spirit will remain in every shared memory, every lesson passed down and every moment of quiet strength his loved ones carry forward.
As we gather to celebrate the life of William Madison Jones, Sr., let us reflect on the joyous moments he shared and the profound impact he had on all who knew him. May we find solace in each other and cherish his memory with the love and reverence he so deeply deserved.
The Jones family will honor his memory with a public viewing on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Jaylex Event Center, 2110 Glenwood Avenue in Youngstown, at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life Service, replete with military honors to celebrate William's life and achievements, will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II as the celebrant.
At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of William 'Billy' Madison Jones, Sr., elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, OH. 330.782.8500.
Send flowers to the service of William 'Billy' Madison Jones Sr.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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