Billy Jones

I  want to share my condolences with you.  Ush for burying!  I always really liked Uncle Billy.  I remember the week that I spent with you guys in Maryland in 2001.  It was fun.  I always think of Uncle Billy when it came to watching the Cricket, and other sports we spent some time watching. 
I am truly very sorry to hear this news.
Love always

December 17 2010

 Cousin Billy,Sadly it's been too long since we met in Freetown before you went to the States. But you've always been in our thoughts ,this side of the pond and we pray that you have a cool place to rest in eternal Peace, knowing how much love and Happiness you gave to all your friends, colleagues and Family, Duni , Aunty Sudie ,Sadie , Don and Len.  Blessings forever .Patrice

The last time I saw Billy was at the wedding of my nephew in Silver Spring, MD in May, 2008. He had looked so well and I couldn’t have imagined then, that less than 3 years later, he would have died. But the memory of this lively character, who never failed to get the best out of life and the people he met, endures.

We went back a long way when, as kids, we grew up together within an extended family that interweaved in many interesting ways, spanning three generations. To cap it all, Billy and I went to the same secondary school where we joined an even bigger family embracing even more generations, and which provided source material for endless anecdotes, particularly about the teachers. Here, Billy was the consummate storyteller able, unfailingly, to regale in vocabulary that was not to be found in our schoolbooks. That is how I will remember him: for the joy and laughter that he brought into our lives.

It was a chance encounter some 2 or 3 years ago on a brief visit to the USA. I gate crashed into a picnic organised by, I believe, Ilara & Bob Thomas. I was pleased to find many long lost friends, all in a jolly mood. Billy was there in the center of the pitch organizing some sort of competition for the young. We virtually ran toward each other and embraced warmly; exchanged 'bad words' as of olden days and he returned his attention to what he was doing. I remember saying to myself 'Billy has not changed'. RIP

 

 TRIBUTE TO

Michael   Billy Jones

By

Dr Carl   E.  Anderson

Vice President, Administration Howard University

Washington, DC

Matthews   Episcopal Anglican Church, Hyattsville Maryland

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Reminiscence and Wake Keeping

Time:  7:00PM Prompt - 12:00 Midnight

 When Winston Yalley Arthur informed me of the death of  Michael Billy Jones, my thoughts immediately turned to that evening in the Orange Bowl in Miami Florida ,40 years ago, when the Howard University Soccer Team defeated the overwhelming favorite ,St. Louis University ,to win Howard University’s first and only NCAA Championship in any sport.

 The celebration that night, by those of us in the attendance, was exuberant to say the least.

That evening Billy and all of the H.U Soccer Team became part of something much larger than themselves, as they were recognized as the Number One Collegiate Soccer Team in the Nation.

From this experience, an even greater level of personal awareness was achieved, in that the bond of friendship forged through this magnificent team effort was cemented into as association of friendship and fellowship which has enriched and ennobled the lives of all of those involved, for all of the forty years since.

This “Band of Brothers”, has withstood the test of time and has transcended all manner of highs and lows in the human condition to convey to those    involved that “we are indeed one”.

At the risk of committing the sin of omission I feel compelled to mention at least a few of those in this ,”Band of Brothers”, many of whom are here this evening to bid farewell to Billy:

            The names of

Keith Acqui, Mori Dianne, Winston Yallery Arthur, Ian Bain, Alvin Henderson, Ernest Skinner, Desmond Alfred, Coach Lincoln Phillips, Trainer Milton Miles and Trevor Lesiba, Keith Tulloch, Mike Davey and Sam Acqua come to mind.

Through the 1971 championship trophy was revoked by the NCAA, just two years later the Howard University Soccer Team avenged this act of retraction, by going directly into the home territory of the previous winner, by default, the celebrated St. Louis University Billikens to reclaim the little and proved once again that their rightful place was that of being NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

So tonight, as we lift up and celebrate the life and legacy of our dear friend Billy, we acknowledge the rightful place he deserves in the annals of sports at the Howard University but more importantly, we acknowledge the richness of the special friendship.