Billy Ray Jones

Billy Ray Jones, age 76, a veteran of the Vietnam War and longtime resident of Corbin, KY, passed away on September 16, 2021, surrounded by family at home. Bill was born on June 1, 1945, to Finley and Eva (Bolton) Jones and attended Frankfort Baptist Church before being drafted into the US Army. He was stationed at Ft. Story in Virginia Beach, VA where he met and married his first love, Brenda ‘Cory' Music. After returning from Vietnam, Bill managed the Krispy Kreme Donut Store on Virginia Beach Blvd. When he was not at work, he was enjoying time with his growing family; wife, stepdaughter- Lexie, son- Billy Jr, and daughter- Donnamarie ‘Marie'. A few years after, Bill relocated back to Corbin and started working at Certainteed Corp. He then met and later married his second and final love, Beulah ‘Irene' Rapier Jones. Together with her two daughters, Karen and Sondra, and soon after, a son, Jeff, they made their home in Corbin. Some years after moving into management, he was transferred to Kansas City, KS until he retired and was then offered a position with a company as a freelance manager consultant in Houston, TX. Upon full retirement, Bill and his family moved back to Corbin. He was elected as the DAV Commander and Chief of Chapter 158 for many years. He and his family were also members of Steele's Chapel Christian Church.
Shortly after Bill's wife's passing, he relocated to Virginia Beach, VA to live with his daughter. He enjoyed live music on the beach, vacations, family gatherings, and dinnertime. Bill also attended St. Gregory's Catholic Church with his family.
Bill is survived by his daughter- Donnamarie ‘Marie' Jones, son- Jeffrey (April) Jones, step-daughters- Karen (Scott) Santos and Sondra (Mike) Bane. Siblings: John (Judy) Jones, Joyce (Don) Justice, Roy (Joyce) Jones, David (Anna) Jones, Finley Jones Jr., and Carmel Jones Cameron. Grandchildren: Kristian (Daniel) Kelly, Aryianna ‘Dani' (Winston) McKibben, CJ (Leanna) Farley, Jesse (Stephanie) Farley, Tabytha (Nate) Jones, Emerson Farley, Vanessa Jones, Haylee Jones, Joshua Jones, Ashley Santos, Stephen Santos, Autumn (Will) Newman, Heather Jenkins, 27 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and many loved ones.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents- Finley and Eva (Bolton) Jones, son- Billy Jones Jr., former step-daughter- Lexie Walters, grandson- Baby Richard, siblings- Loretta Jones Goodall, Alice Jones Grove, Margaret Jones Ballinger, and Myrtle Jones Bradner. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, 607 Master Street, Corbin, KY. The funeral service for Bill will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the funeral home with Rev. James Hodge officiating.
Interment will follow the service at Worley Cemetery in Corbin, KY with military honors by DAV Chapter 158. Following the graveside service, a gathering for food and fellowship will be held at Frankfort Baptist Church from 2:00-4:00pm.
Arrangements by Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where messages may be written to the family at vankirkgrisellfuenralhome.com