Billy Gene Jones, of Crocker, was born on March 21, 1932, at Dixon, a son of Claud and Mina (Crismon) Jones, and departed this life at 5:55 p.m., Tuesday evening, January 22, 2013, in the Mercy Hospital, Springfield. Mr. Jones had attained the age of 80 years, 10 months, and 1 day.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage on January 3, 1953, at Mountain Home, Arkansas to Joan Mitchell, and to this union two children were born. He was preceded in death his father in February of 1977 and his mother in May of 1991.

Mr. Jones was a member and active in the Dixon Church of Christ for many years. He graduated from Dixon High School in 1950 and went on to Central Methodist College in Fayette. Following graduation from college, Mr. Jones joined the United States Air Force and served for four years, during the Korean Conflict. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Iceland and was in the Marching Band. He was honorably discharged in 1957. Mr. Jones began his teaching career in the fall of 1957 at the Crocker Schools as Music director, and worked there until his retirement after 27 years. He was very proud of the many accomplishments he and his students received. They brought home several 1A ratings at Districts in band and chorus and enjoyed many band and Senior trips to Canada, Florida and Texas. He always came home with many great stories about his students and bus driver. Mr. Jones enjoyed every day of his retirement, working on antique tractors and catching catfish and crappy at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Jones: his wife of 60 years, Joan Jones of the home in Crocker; one son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Brenda Jones; one daughter, Pamela Sherrell, all of Crocker; three grandchildren, Matt Jones and wife, Haley; Amy Jones and Isaac Sherrell and wife, Megan; four great-grandchildren, Jozilyn, Wyatt, Parker and Bentley, all of Crocker; two step-grandchildren, Jonathan Johnson and Ashley Sherrell and her husband, Eric; four step-great-grandchildren, Kendra, Kane, Kasen and Klay, all of Lebanon; brother-in-law, Don Crews, Hancock; two aunts, Velma Hamilton, Dixon and Nora Cooper, St. Peters; several nephews; nieces, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Jones at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 25, 2013, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker with Minister Jarrod Harp, Dixon Church of Christ officiating.

Interment was in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Crocker. Pallbearers for Mr. Jones were Matt Jones, Isaac Sherrell, Larry Franklin, Grover Warren Mitchell, Gary George and J.T. Roberts.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the Fair Haven Children's Home at 3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757.