William Bonner Jones Jr. passed away on Feb. 11, 2015, in a Birmingham hospital with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. Billy was born on May 8, 1937, to William Bonner Jones and Nellene Maxwell Jones in Selma. He grew up in Pleasant Hill and attended Pleasant Hill Grammar School, Carlowville High and graduated from Albert G. Parrish High School in Selma. Following high school, he attended Auburn University.  On Jun. 14, 1969, he married Mary Elizabeth Neely in Orrville.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Jones of Selma; son, William Bonner Jones III and his wife, Carol Jones of Montgomery; daughter, Neely Jones Portera and her husband, John Paul Portera of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren, Kristen, Emily and Katherine Jones, John Bonner and William Portera; his twin brother, George Karlton Jones of Richmond, Ind.; sisters, Nell Jones Vaughan and her husband, Edward Vaughan of Livingston and Grace Jones Middleton of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother-in-law, Samuel Dunlap Neely of Orrville; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of beloved friends.

Funeral services will be Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Selma with Dr. Jerry Light officiating. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Selma Funeral directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Jones was a member of First Baptist Church and the Maverick Sunday School Class and the Men’s Morning Coffee Group at the Downtowner. After retiring from Coca-Cola Bottling Company, he enjoyed driving and delivering cars for Turner Chevrolet and Moore-Stewart Motor Company in Selma.

“Cowboy” was a talented athlete, skillful hunter who enjoyed being with his friends at the Little Pond Hunting Club and was a loyal Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.  He loved country and gospel music, family reunions, church homecomings and spending time at Cowboy’s Cabin. He will be remembered for his optimism, integrity, sense of humor and loyalty to his family and friends.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be of the Maverick Sunday School Class and Little Pond Hunting Club.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church of Selma or First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hill.