DL Capt. William "Bill" Bryan Jones, Jr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy LCDR, ret./DL Capt. William "Bill" Bryan Jones, Jr. 

September 19, 1957 ~ May 9, 2025

 

 

As noted in the June-July issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam column, the passing of DL

Capt. William Jones. 

Retiring from the Navy in 1995, Bill and his family returned to Pascagoula and he embarked upon his second career as a commercial airline pilot, taking an initial position with Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to Delta Airlines (09-18-1997, based Atlanta)…………….

Bill is survived by his wife Bette-Jean (“B-J"), and by his daughters and their families.

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.obryantokeefe.com/obituary/LCDRWilliamBill-JonesJrUSNavyRet   

LCDR William "Bill" Jones, Jr. US Navy, (Ret) Obituary

Lieutenant Commander William (“Bill”) Bryan Jones, Jr., U.S. Navy, (Ret), passed away after a brief illness on May 9, 2025. He was 67 years old. His beloved wife Bette-Jean (“B-J”) was at his bedside when he passed.

 

Bill was raised in Pascagoula, MS, the firstborn of Judge William B. Jones and Harolyn R. Jones. He graduated in 1975 from Pascagoula High School and then attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in the Class of 1979. He married the love of his life, Bette-Jean Gabriel, in August 1979 after his graduation from the Academy.

 

Following in his father’s footsteps, he chose naval flight training as his service selection and completed the primary phase of flight school in Pensacola, FL. His high flight grades in primary qualified him for high performance aircraft and he was assigned to Naval Air Station Whiting Field (Milton, FL) followed by Naval Air Station Meridian (Meridian, MS) for basic and advanced jet training, where he earned the gold wings of a Naval Aviator.

 

Thereafter, he selected and piloted the Navy’s A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. He served in various attack squadrons assigned to Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, WA). The family resided in this area for ten years, where both daughters, Janyse and Jamee, were born.

 

Earning the call sign “Flash”, he completed three deployments, including combat operations in DESERT SHIELD/STORM. During his active flight career in the Navy, he accumulated over 3,000 flight hours in the A-6 and over 400 “traps” (arrested carrier landings). He was also a proud “Plank Owner” of Navy Attack Squadron VA-185.

 

After those years of sea duty and operational deployments, Bill and his family enjoyed a two-year shore tour in Norway, where Bill served as aU.S. Navy Exchange Officer with Headquarters, Joint Task Force, North Norway based in Bodø, Norway.

 

Retiring from the Navy in 1995, Bill and his family returned to Pascagoula and he embarked upon his second career as a commercial airline pilot, taking an initial position with Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to Delta Airlines, where he qualified in the McDonnell-Douglas 88, Boeing 727 and Boeing 767 aircraft. For most of his commercial airline career, he flew overseas routes and retired as a Captain after 25 years and over 21,000 flight hours with Delta.

 

During his life, Bill was an avid recreational sailor and participated in sailing regattas wherever he was, beginning with events hosted by the Singing River Yacht Club (Pascagoula, MS). He owned and raced a San Juan 24 in the Pacific Northwest, including in the infamous annual Yachting’s Whidbey Island Race Week. Upon returning to Mississippi, he continued to race in events along the entire Gulf Coast. To give back to the community, he held the elected position of City Councilman of Pascagoula, MS. In his retirement Bill enjoyed rounds of golf, riding his bike, working crossword puzzles, and visiting with his grandchildren. FOX News and ESPN will sorely miss his viewership.

 

Personable and courteous in manner, Bill always had a ready smile and helping hand for family and friends. He manifested the genteel Southern manners passed onto him by his parents. Beneath his agreeable demeanor, lay the calm, confident competence of a professional aviator. Devoted to family, country and flying, Bill Jones indisputably possessed “the right stuff,” both personally and professionally.

 

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Bryan Jones, Sr. (former Circuit Court Judge) and Harolyn Owen Jones, and his brother, Thomas "TJ"; Jones, all of Pascagoula, MS. He is survived by his wife, Bette-Jean (“B-J";) Gabriel Jones of Pascagoula, MS; his two daughters, Janyse Cabatu (Chris) of Norfolk, VA, and Jamee J. Molander (Kevin) of Humble, TX; his grandchildren, Max-Owen K. Molander, Kaylen M. Cabatu, Cristopher J. Molander, Trevor J. Molander, and Lylah M. Cabatu; his sister, Elizabeth J. Hatten (Mark); his brother, Robert O. Jones (Janice) of Gautier, MS; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Visitation will be Friday, May 23, 2025, 9:30-11:00am, at First Methodist Church in Pascagoula.  Memorial Service will begin at 11:00am in the church with Rev. Eddie Kirby officiating.  Graveside service to follow with full military honors to be rendered.  Pallbearers will be Bill’s son-in-laws, Christopher A. Cabatu and Kevin C. Molander.

 

Prior to his passing, Bill requested that any contributions in

memoriam be directed to:

 

Naval Academy Sailing Foundation.org

(click contact, scroll down to donate)

58 Bennion Road

Annapolis, MD 21402

 

Youth Sailing Program

Singing River Yacht Club

3900 Beach Blvd

Pascagoula, MS 39567

 

KIDZ Ministry

First Methodist Church of Pascagoula

2710 Pascagoula Street

 

After the services, family is inviting everyone to gather at 2211 Beach Blvd, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 and the driveway is located at the rear off of Washington Avenue.  Also, A Celebration of Life at 5:00pm at the Pascagoula Country Club in Pascagoula on Friday, May 23, 2025.