November 28, 1931 – February 15, 2026

Billy Gray Jones, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with his loving wife of over 73 years by his side. Billy was born on November 28, 1931, in Rosebud, Texas, to Gray Clarence Jones and Ethel Suggs Jones. Billy graduated from Burbank High School in 1949 in San Antonio. After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he was sent to Camp Polk for training and then stationed in Germany where he served as a field medic. While at Camp Polk, he attended a Leesville High football game and met the love of his life, Cordelia Dempsey. He was honorably discharged in July 1952. On October 11, 1952, he and Cordelia were married. He began his life long career with National Cash Register (NCR). This career took him from San Antonio to Uvalde, Monroe, Alexandria, and Beaumont, where he retired after 37 years from NCR. After retirement, Billy and Cordelia moved to Leesville where they have enjoyed life with many friends. They have traveled all across the United States of America visiting every state and also every province in Canada. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Leesville, where he served as a deacon and also was active on many committees; he also found joy in singing in the choir. Billy was involved with The Gideon’s International. He also served for 20 years as an elections commissioner in Vernon Parish. He enjoyed this position because he got to visit with everyone on election days. Later in life he took up the game of golf. He enjoyed playing with many friends and family at Leesville Municipal Golf Course. Even though he owned a full set of clubs, he only used two of them – his driver and his putter. In Uvalde, Texas, he proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Dept. While in Monroe and Alexandria, Billy was very active with the Jaycees.

Billy was preceded in death by an infant child, Gary Lynn Jones, his parents, his sister Juanita and her husband, Frank Hartman. Billy is survived by his wife, Cordelia Jones, and their three children, David (Jysele), Billy Wayne (Kim), and Sharon (Robert Logan). He is also survived by grandchildren, Heather Jones, Danny Jones (Caroline) , Robert Jones (Donna), Annie Niyigena (Eric), Nicole Shively (Justin), and Mandi Logan. He is also survived by great grandchildren Dawson Jones, Olivia Soileau, Madeline Soileau, Camille Soileau, Chloe Niyigena, Caleb Niyigena, Chase Wyatt, Izaih Wyatt, Izeik Wyatt and one great great grandson, Sterlyng Wyatt.

Also surviving Billy is a brother-in-law A.B. Dempsey (Stacy), two sister-in-law’s, Billie Richard (Sherman), and Dianne Dempsey Legnon and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Billy Gray Jones will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Leesville at 2:00 pm with Pastors Darin Worthington and Jerry Penfield officiating. A visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 pm to the time of the service. Burial will follow in Castor Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service of Leesville.

Serving as pallbearers will be Danny Jones, Dawson Jones, Robert Jones, Eric Niyigena, Robert Logan, and Justin Shively. Honorary pallbearers will be all of the FBC deacons. A very special acknowledgement to all of their many friends that have always been there to help them; especially Gail Wagner, Pat Totten, Gene Lacaze, Dianne Council, Masel Howard, Beaver Moore, Debbie and Randall Smith, Brenda and Charlie Bealer, Jackie and Michelle Self, and Loretta Poe.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staffs of Byrd Regional Hospital, The Woodlands Healthcare Center and Passages Hospice out of Alexandria for their compassionate care and support during Billy’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to First Baptist Church of Leesville.