Billy Jones

First of all, my most sincere condolences on the passing of my friend Michael Billy Jones, as I always referred to him. I have never called him Billy, but always MBJ. He was always a rough customer and the very first time I had the opportunity to meet with him was on my first day of practice at Howard University. MBJ cussed out a player in my presence and I tore into him like a torpedo. I said to him that as a student of higher learning I expected that he would utilize his intellect   express his feelings to foe. After that hour, that day, MBJ and I enjoyed a friendship and love that was unsurpassed. I even made him my assistant, a position which he served which he served with distinction.

Coach P.L Trinidad

MR MICHAEL BILLY JONES – A True Regentonian

On behalf of the executive and members of the Sierra Leone Grammar School Alumni Association N.A, I extend our since condolence to the entire family on the passing away of Mr. Michael Billy Jones.

Billy, as we commonly called him, was a true Regentonian. He entered the Sierra Leone Grammar School in 1956.  In addition to benefiting from a top rated academic preparation, testimonies from school mates, school records speak to the fact that he was a keen sportsman who excelled in Cricket and Soccer. His grooming as a pupil at the SLGS laid the foundation for his enviable contribution later on as a Cricketer for the Sierra Leone National team, a Soccer Goalie for the Howard University Soccer team and an Assistant Coach for the H.U Soccer team.

Billy was a true Regentonian at heart and did not forget his Alma Mater School after immigrating to the United States.  He was a founder member and until his death one of the most dedicated members of the Sierra Leone Grammar School Alumni Association North America. He served as Vice-president of the organization for six years and was honored as alumnus of the year in November 2007. Today, 26 years after the founding of the organization, we can proudly say that because of the initiative and foresight of our founding members, the Alumni Association has been able to give back to the school in meaningful ways, particularly at this time of global economic crunch and the quest by the Board to take the School to higher heights.

We will miss Billy at our regular monthly meetings. As President, I will particularly miss his directness and no mincing of words personality.  I regard him as our chief whip. When it comes to issues of blatant violation of established rules by members, you want Billy to be at that meeting to make his point known. Whether it is an issue of an active member dodging his way through the gates into our annual fund-raising dance without paying the mandated gate fee or a member who is clearly lackadaisical about executing his duties, I always look forward to Billy getting on his feet at our meetings and take the edge off me with a good tongue lashing while I act like a good guy urging him to calm down when I really want him to turn up the heat.

Billy was a hard working gentleman who believed in team work. At the last fund-raising dance that he was fortunate to participate in, he came up to me and said “bo, ar nor see u dey gee me any woke for do again”. To which I replied, “bo u nar senior man wey don pay u dues”.  Even though he believed in a passing the mantle to a younger generation of more able bodied Regentonians as demonstrated by his history of behind the scenes orchestration of successive teams of leaders, he always had the spirit and wanted to be a vibrant part of the team.

Billy had a great sense of humor and purpose, whether in good times or bad times. Even at the peak of his illness when things were not looking good but had made a transient but significant clinical improvement, was weaned off his ventilator and was able to verbally communicate, he came through with his sense of humor after he observed our General Secretary, Dr. Solo Collier staring at him during a visitation. He jokingly said, “Solo, how you dey look me so, ar nor dey die yeht”. Meaning, don’t you worry, I am not yet ready to die. And at the same time, he was very thankful to the alumni association for the support that we were giving him and was profusing thankful to his team of doctors, nurses for the extraordinary effort they had put in to save his life. In the same vein, the Alumni Association is profoundly thankful and deeply appreciative of his contributions to the association. 

As we say good bye to Billy, we will remember him as a true Regentonian who loved his school, a true Regentonian with a team spirit, a true Regentonian with a great sense of humor and sense of purpose. We are immensely appreciative of having had the opportunity to serve the association with him. Good bye Billy. May the SLGSAANA and the SLGS in Freetown live and flourish forever. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Dr Radcliffe M Thomas,

President, Sierra Leone Grammar School

Alumni Association North America

January 9, 2011