William Jones, 76, of Alpharetta, Ga., passed away on March 24, 2024.
Throughout his life, Wily pursued knowledge, gave generously, loved his family and was enormously proud of his children and grandchildren.
Wily, also known as Bill or Wayne, grew up in Bolivar, NY, and attended Bolivar Central School, where he was active in many clubs, sports and theater. He graduated from Alfred University and in 1969 was commissioned by General William Westmoreland as an infantry 2LT in the United States Army Reserve. Granted an educational delay to take advantage of a scholarship, he earned an MBA from Syracuse University in the spring of 1971. He served 10 years in the Army Reserve and rose to the rank of Captain. Wily married Deborah Joyce of Long Island in East Islip, NY, in 1972.
Shortly after finishing graduate school at Syracuse, Wily started working with his parents in the family business, an advertising shopper called the Moneysaver that his father started in 1953. Wily helped expand its circulation area and profitability and bought the Moneysaver in 1981. Wily always credited the success of the business to the talented and dedicated team that worked there. Together, they won over 50 state, regional and national awards for graphic design and twice won first place General Excellence from Free Community Papers of New York (FCPNY) and Mid-Atlantic Community Papers Association. They won first place Community Service in the nation from Association of Free Community Papers. Wily served on the board of directors of FCPNY for 25 years, serving two terms as president, was named Publisher of the Year in 2009, and served on the PaperChain national board. Wily sold the business and retired in 2011 and moved with his wife to the Atlanta area in 2013. Upon moving to Georgia, he and Deborah enjoyed a newcomers group and made wonderful friends through participation in a wine-and-dine group. Wily also was an active member of the Lions Club both in Wellsville, NY, and Roswell, Ga.
Wily spent most of his life in Wellsville, NY, where he made lifelong friends and was active in the community. He and his wife raised two children, Jennifer and Jeffrey. He was raised in the Methodist faith but converted to Catholicism in part because of his relationship with Monsignor McCarthy. Wily was an avid reader, always pursuing knowledge, particularly about politics and national news. His political views were informed by what he saw during the Vietnam War era, and he had a great love for his country and a great passion about the importance of providing opportunities to those less fortunate than he was. He was a loyal Buffalo Bills fan, taking his family to two home games per year during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and he enjoyed watching college basketball, particularly nearby St. Bonaventure, his alma mater Syracuse, and West Virginia because of family affiliation. He loved photography and always sought out the newest gadgets, enjoyed visiting museums, exploring new places, and attending theater and symphony productions, and he hosted memorable family vacations in Kiawah Island, St. Simons Island, Amelia Island and Asheville.
Wily is predeceased by his parents, William and Marian Jones. Wily is survived by his wife of 51 years, Deborah, children Jennifer Boyd and Jeffrey Jones, son-in-law Joel Boyd, daughter-in-law Heather Jones, brother James Jones, grandchildren Emily Boyd, Matthew Boyd, Hudson Jones and Parker Jones, many nieces and nephews including Doug Jones, and lifelong friend John Bevilacqua. A memorial service will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in his name, please consider the Salvation Army, PDA North America and Celiac Disease Foundation.
Go Bills!
