Walter Rayford Lamar Jones

WALTER RAYFORD LAMAR JONES, age 84, died on the 18th day of September, 2015, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was born November 24, 1930, in Neshoba County, Mississippi, near Philadelphia, the son of Herbert Sylvester Jones and Ida Mae Busby Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers Bobby Lee Jones and James Allen Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Bonnie Heflin Jones; his three sons, Kenneth Jones, Donald Jones (Evelyn), and David Jones (Melinda). Other survivors include his sister, Helen Louise Jones Myers of Philadelphia, MS; sister, Hilda Faye Jones Schitosky of Philadelphia, MS; brother, Charles Elton Jones of Tempe, AZ; brother, Harold Stanley Jones (Patricia) of Greenville, MS; seven grandchildren, Matthew Jones (Lindsay-Beth), Kenneth Jones, II (Leigh), Amanda Bennett (Heath), Jessica Woods (Trevor), Evan Jones, Tiffany Jones, and Daniel Jones; four great-grandchildren, Frazier, Brynn, Allie, and Sheppard; and a host of other beloved family members.
He attended East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi, where he was elected Mr. East Central Junior College. He volunteered for the US Navy in 1951, serving four years on the USS YORKTOWN. He then completed his BS degree at the University of Mississippi and continued on to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. His three sons followed him in the practice of law.
Among his many accomplishments in public service, he served as County Prosecuting Attorney for Neshoba County; Youth Court Councilor for Neshoba County; Attorney for the Board of Supervisors of Neshoba County; and City Attorney for Gulfport in the administrations of Mayor Philip Shaw, Mayor C. L. Bullock, and Mayor Ken Combs. He served as Special Chancery Court Judge for Neshoba, Winston, and Attala Counties by appointment from Governor Paul B. Johnson. He was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Rayford earned a Mississippi Real Estate Broker's license and was well known for his work in real estate closings and legal issues.
Many activities brought joy to Rayford, including playing music, dancing, flying, and spending his time with family and friends.
His family deeply cherishes his legacy of faith, love, determination, hard work, and dedication to loved ones. ""Papaw and Mamaw"" always placed great importance on being there in support of family and friends. Rayford's achievements from humble beginnings will continue to inspire us, and the memory of his wit and love of laughter will forever lift our hearts.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2015, RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with a visitation for family and friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.