Jones, Willie Hamlin

Willie Hamlin Jones, 93, of Christiansburg, died on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at the Kroontje Health Care Center in Blacksburg. Mr. Jones was born on September 1, 1920, in Petersburg, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Daisy Jones.

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Annie Bannister Jones; sister-in-law, Mrs. Kathleen Robinson of Christiansburg;special nephew, Charles “Buncie” Bannister, who lived with them in New York; several nephews and nieces; and his close friend, Mr. John Caldwell of New York. Mr. Jones served in the United States Army during World War II. After an honorable discharge, Willie and his wife, Annie, resided in Queens, N.Y. He was employed by Abraham and Straus Department Store in Brooklyn, N.Y. where he met his best friend, John Caldwell, in the early 1950s. In 1957, he was employed by United States Lines, the only cruise line at that time which operated two cruise ships, the SS American and the SS United States as well as a fleet of freighters. Mr. Jones worked for the president of United States Lines as an executive receptionist and was later promoted to personal chauffeur to the president. After retiring from United States Lines, Willie and Annie made their home on Mud Pike Road in Christiansburg where he drove the seniors at Christiansburg Recreation Center and Meals on Wheels. Mr. Jones was known to be a “GQ” dresser and a lover of cars. The family would like to thank the Nursing Staff of the Cove Nursing Facility of Warm Hearth and Good Samaritan Hospice for all the loving care.The family would also like to thank Valerie Ramey for her tireless efforts as a friend and advocate for both Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014, at the Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church in Christiansburg with Pastor Lee E. Suggs Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.