Billy Jones

My name is Trevor Mitchell but everybody calls me by "Spirit".  This is the name our Howard University soccer coach, Lincoln Phillips, gave me back in the 70s when Billy and I played for the University.  I considered Billy my brother, because he was like a big brother to me and others, as freshmen, when we first attended the University at a young age.  I considered Billy an honorary Trinidadian, he even knew all of the Mighty Sparrow calypsos, and he probably also had all of his albums.   

I remember one year when we were playing Philadelphia Textile University (if I recall correctly), and they were deliberately kicking up our offensive players. Of course, we had some defensive players on our team who did not stand for that. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, fights broke out on the field, and our fans, who followed us wherever we were playing, also joined in the fight.  Billy  was on the side line at the time with other players.  When the fights broke out, the first person the coach would look for was Billy, who he found and who he kept close to him all during the melee.  Billy looked so disgusted because he was not able to fully partake in the action. As of the last day of his life, I do not think Billy ever forgot, or forgave (smile) the coach for not allowing him to join the fray.  I am sure our coach would have a lot to say about this and other incidents in regards to Billy; and I hope he gets to visit the website and give us his memories of him. I am sure he can write a book, and it would be a best seller.

To conclude, I always used to get on Billy for smoking, hoping he would tell me that he plans to quit, or will stop one day.  I would tell him cigarette is the only thing when used as intended, you would die from.  You could not imagine what Billy’s response was.  He simply told me, with a straight face, and not even a smile, “how would it look if I were to be in the hospital dying from nothing”. In other words, he was smoking so the cigarette would adversely affect him so that when he is in the hospital he would be sick from something, and not in the hospital for no reason. This is vintage Billy.  

These are just a couple of memories I have of Billy, he loved us all, and we loved him with our dear hearts.  Even though we were different nationalities, with different cultures, it did not matter to him. He considered himself one of us and we, vice versa, just one big family.

 We would definitely miss him, and may god bless his soul. I considered myself a lucky person to be associated with such a wonderful person in my life time.

Trevor “Spirit” Mitchell

A Howard University Graduate 1974, and a co-worker at Howard.       

I was young man hungry for education when i met Mr Jones ( that's how i call him) and he gave me the steps i need to take to succeed. He wanted me to attend Howard University where he worked and wanted me to work so i wouldn't have to pay for education.

Even though the plan to attend Howard University didn't work, I'm glad to say that I applied the his principles and worked for a company that paid my full tuition.

Today i'm good, thanks to Mr Jones.

He had given me plenty of advice over the years and i'm ripping the benefits.

Rest in Peace Mr Jones, I made it

Thank you,

Billy's  Quotes

'Tell me not in mournful numbers life is but an empty dream.'

'I came to bury caesar and not to praise him.'

'The evil that men do live after them. The good is often interred with their bones.'

'When I soar to world unknown,see thee on thy judgment throne.'

SISTER

My Alma Mater’s Bell!

I heard my Alma Mater’s voice

Opening its pealing throat to me;

With sounds which once more brought me home,

To walk down lanes of memory.

On Howard hill, where Founder stands,

Those many hours that I spent

Pursuing knowledge, deeply stacked,

To try to grasp what ideas meant.

For friendships wrought across the world;

To forge a link in mankind’s plan;

For ideals sifted through the mind

Of wisdom, showing how we can.

East meeting west, north crossing south;

A world distilled on Howard hill.

The chains of bondage loosed and free,

Marks visions raised with burnished will.

To pass those exams, then to learn,

That it is now the tasks begin.

To hear my Alma mater’s bell

Appeal to all that’s good within.

Hollis Lashley. © 2010.