Coal Miner's Son
Billy Leroy Jones was the second child born to Roma Sparks Jones and William Gratton Jones. He was born in a small mining camp of Caretta, WV (McDowell County). At a young pre-school age Billy learned to be a fighter and survivor by overcoming Polio. Billy attended Big Creek High School, but the family moved to Bland County, VA where he finished high school at Rocky Gap High School. He loved mechanics and the small farm his family had at Rocky Gap, VA. Fond memories of his teen years were of his several agricultural projects and spending time along the creeks swimming and fishing at Rocky Gap. He later trained as a mechanic and always loved working on cars and trucks. Billy also worked in production for WHIS TV, Channel 6, Bluefield, WV. His path in life took him to working with Interstate Life Insurance and retired after years of service with Interstate Life. In his retirement Billy enjoyed traveling and lived in Panama for six months and returned to Virginia to spend the remainder of his retirement.