Wilson Albert Jones Jr. passed away on August 1, 2021. Wilson was born in Greenville, Mississippi to Wilson and Helen Vest Jones on March 16, 1941. He spent his free time in childhood teaching himself everything there was to know about planes, trains and automobiles - anything that ran on gas. Sailboats were the exception. He served in the U.S. Air Force then went on to receive his Bachelor's degree in Professional Aviation from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana.
In 1983, Wilson married Donna Alford, the girl next door in Ruston. They have one child together, Callie, and Wilson has one son, Will. Wilson loved his children deeply.
Throughout his life, Wilson was skilled in many areas which led him to a dynamic career and the nickname, "MacGyver". After retiring from Louisiana Tech, Wilson, Donna and Callie moved to Shreveport. Wilson worked as a plant engineer for Enviro-Chem Systems during which time he got to absorb the cultures from Australia to Africa. Wilson loved bringing home tchochkes from his world travels to Donna and Callie. He then transitioned to a job closer to home to be more present for his family. Wilson began a professorship in electronics and engineering at Texas State Technical College in Marshall. His daily commute was thoroughly enjoyable either in his Audi TT sports car or on his BMW motorcycle. Wilson was even profiled on Bob Griffin's "Living the Good Life" on KTBS. When Wilson retired at the age of 75, he was a division director at the College.
Wilson was an active member in the local BMW motorcycle club where he traveled the country all the way to Oregon with his biker crew. The club spent many Saturday mornings eating breakfast together at Strawn's. He would tell tales of the mountain lions he would see while they were camping in the woods. We never knew if those mountain lions were real or not, but they sure made for a good story.
Wilson is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna Alford Jones; his son, Wilson "Will" Albert Jones III of Woodworth, LA; his daughter, Callie Cathleen Jones of Austin, TX; and his sister, Janie Willis of Greenville, MS. Wilson has five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to a charity of your choice.