Willis E. “Sonny” Jones, Jr.

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Willis E. “Sonny” Jones, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, in Columbia, Tennessee.

Born on the family farm in Williamsport, TN on September 12, 1937, he was the son of the late Willis Edgar Jones, Sr., and Gladys Eskew Jones. After graduating from Columbia Central High School, Sonny attended college then served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to complete his degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He then taught history and coached football at Whitthorne Jr. High before joining the FBI in 1966.

Sonny had a long and interesting career as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 27 years where he worked on crimes that ranged from bank robbery to foreign counterintelligence. He was stationed in Springfield, MO, New York, NY, and Memphis, TN before returning home to Columbia, TN. Sonny was also a firearms instructor for the FBI from 1969 to retirement.

Following retirement from the FBI, he was employed again as a contract background investigator with the FBI. He then started and co-owned Tennessee Driver Improvement program schools in Middle Tennessee where he instructed for many years.

Sonny was a member of the Williamsport United Methodist Church. There he taught Sunday School and helped start and run a local men’s monthly breakfast. He was an active member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI and enjoyed attending the local chapter meetings. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Sonny was an avid outdoorsman that loved to be outside enjoying nature in Middle Tennessee and most notably on the family farm. He had a wide variety of interests which ranged from hunting, fishing, and shooting to reading and being an avid history buff. He took immense joy in being with his family, as well as his cats and dogs and all the wildlife that roamed the farm. He leaves a legacy of a man that loved his family and the time spent together during all the family milestones and holidays.

Sonny was married to the love of his life, the late Donna Faye Wantland Jones, for 60 years. He is survived by his three children, Willis (Kim) Jones III of Brentwood, Tracyann (Steve) Benefield of Murfreesboro and Forrest (Dana) Jones of Murfreesboro; his seven grandsons Willis (Valerie) Jones IV of Brentwood, Jackson Jones of Brentwood, Blake (Cori) Benefield of Murfreesboro, Hunter (Abby) Jones of Murfreesboro, Andrew (Lexi) Benefield of Murfreesboro, Alex Jones of Murfreesboro, Addison Jones of Murfreesboro; three great granddaughters Collins Bell Benefield, Blair Harper Benefield, and Hattie Grace Benefield of Murfreesboro; and two great grandsons Willis Edgar Jones V of Brentwood and Andrew Jones Benefield II of Murfreesboro; sisters the late Jane Anne Perkey of Louisville, KY and Shirl Coleman of Orlando, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Jones will be conducted on October 3, 2025, at 3:00pm at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Brady Cooper officiating. The family will host a Celebration of Life immediately after the service at Puckett’s Restaurant, 15 Public Square, Columbia, TN.

Serving as active pallbearers will be his seven grandsons and honorary pallbearers consist of the local chapter of the retired FBI agents.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Williamsport Cemetery, c/o Jim Moore, 3617 Craig Bridge Rd., Williamsport, TN 38487. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.