Waylon Lamar (Billy) Jones was born on October 15, 1935, in Canton, Alabama to Roshelle Jones. Billy’s mother died on the day Billy was to start school, thus delaying Billy’s schooling while arrangements were made for Billy to live with his grandparents. His early schooling started at Westview (Opp & Micolas Mills) and Opp City Schools. At Opp High School, Billy began developing his interest in helping others by serving in a number of leadership roles leading to president of the OHS Student Council as a senior.
His volunteer efforts were overshadowed by his athletic accomplishments. There are still many who will remember Billy as the best “overall” athlete in the history of Opp High School. Many of his basketball records still stand, and his football records led to a scholarship at the University of Alabama. Billy accepted a job offer with a tire plant in Tuscaloosa for the summer of 1954. At the end of the summer, Billy wanted to go back to Opp to help his family. One month later Billy joined the United States Army.
The Army made Billy a clerk typist and sent him to Germany. Billy was persuaded to join the post football team. Army posts across Europe formed the league made up of former college and high school athletes as well as a few pro players. He was selected “All European” as a tailback in the single wing formation. At the end of his three-year term, Billy was able to return to the University of Alabama with the G.I. Bill. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating from college, Billy married Elizabeth Moody, of Opp, on December 9, 1961. Billy and Elizabeth have three children Craig, Carole, and Gary. They raised their family in Opp and all three children attended Opp City Schools.
Billy’s first job after college was with the civil service in Destin, Florida. Billy jumped at the opportunity to return home by accepting a job with A-OK Motor Lines. He never moved again. With his business partner Betty Weeks and his wife Elizabeth, he built thriving businesses that would last for many years to come. They owned and managed Dairy Queen for thirty-five years, built Funland Golf and Go Cart Track, and owned J&W Accounting Services until his retirement in 2013. Billy made a lasting mark on so many lives by giving many young folks their first jobs and teaching them the value of hard work as well as many more life lessons. He donated countless food items and money to churches and organizations. All anyone had to do was ask and he came through for them. Billy loved to cook and loved taking his creations all over town to his friends. Most of the time he was the first to take food to families when there was a death. He always said, “It will never hurt you to help the less fortunate.” He not only said this several times, but he also lived it.
Billy was very passionate about getting good leaders for our community. The little table in the kitchen of J&W Accounting saw an amazing amount of political action. This is where potential candidates went seeking Billy’s advice and endorsement. They knew if they got Billy’s approval, they would have a tireless worker and a wealth of political experience. The little table hosted state leaders such as Bill and Lucy Baxley, national leaders such as Jeff Sessions, and pretty much every Opp mayor for four decades.
Billy passed away on September 7, 2014, yet he certainly has left a legacy in Opp, Alabama. Recognizing valuable contributions from the citizens shouldn’t be just measured with trophies. It should be about lasting effects on the community, helping those who need a little boost, and making impressions on lives that will forever last. Opp has always been a community with great citizens and one of them was Billy Jones. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
