Billy E. Jones died on Wednesday, June 19 at Cypress Glen in Greenville NC. He was 91 years old. Billy’s long and productive life included many chapters. A man blessed with a long life and great energy, Billy impacted his friends and colleagues in many ways, in varied places, at different stages of his life. The funeral service was held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 11 am in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Billy lived a full and active life so there is much to remember. Each phase was marked by his lifelong traits of determination, perseverance and a strong inclination towards fairness. Billy’s many friends and admirers will recognize their memories of Billy in the comments below. But, perhaps most important in remembering Billy, beyond his many accomplishments and varied interests, is the common thread that connects the many stages of his life. Throughout his life Billy pursued with vigor the tasks before him. He always did so with kindness, humility and a genuine regard for those around him. He never wanted to be somewhere else. He always wanted to make where he was better. Billy admired all who dedicated themselves to being good at what they did. He admired equally the master carpenter, the neurosurgeon and the successful farmer. Billy’s kindness for those less fortunate was quiet and personal. He was not given to grand gestures. Throughout his life he helped many in need- often anonymously. He respected every person’s dignity and didn’t have much patience with those who did not. Billy was born on January 29, 1933 in Dayton Beach Florida to Bibb E. and Marjorie Eyre Jones. He grew up in Port Orange, Fla. with his younger brother Alan and their sister Sue. Among many childhood adventures in Port Orange, Billy served as an 11-year old air warden and fireman during WWII. He and Alan helped keep the Florida coast safe from German U-boats by making sure blackouts were observed. Billy graduated from Mainland High School in Dayton Beach in 1950. He then attended The Citadel in Charleston S.C. from which he graduated in 1954. Billy enlisted in the U.S. Army prior to his senior year. Billy went on to medical school at Duke University where he met his wife of 66 years Hannah (“Hansy”) Fulford Warren. Billy and Hansy were married in Durham in 1958 and Billy graduated from medical school the same year. Over the next nine years they went on to residency and military posts in El Paso, TX, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Augusta, Ga. They had their 3 children along the way. In 1967 Billy resigned his commission as a Major in the Army and moved to Hansy’s hometown of Greenville, NC. Billy founded Eastern Dermatology, PA where he took on partners and grew his practice throughout eastern N.C. Billy was an engaged and energetic member of the Greenville medical community which he always held in high regard. In 1980 Billy left private practice and moved to the newly formed ECU Brody School of Medicine where he founded the Section of Dermatology. Billy was a clinician and professor of medicine at BSOM until his retirement in 1997. He was very proud of the medical school where he won numerous teaching awards. Billy’s retirement years in Washington, N.C. and Bath, N.C. can fairly be described as an explosion of energy propelled by the freedom to pursue his many interests. While in Washington, he became a skilled boatsman. He and Hansy had many adventures in their trawler “Hannah” as they explored the Pamlico River and intracoastal waterways. They also spent wonderful years at their home on Bath Creek where their grandchildren enjoyed great summer adventures including sailing camps, art camps, water sports and golf carts. They were all so fortunate to enjoy the idyllic beauty of Bath Creek. Throughout his life in Greenville and into retirement, Billy was involved in many community activities including acting as Scout Master of troop 205 for many years. He especially loved and was committed to involvement in his church. In Greenville, Billy was for decades an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he served in a variety of posts including the Vestry and as Sr. Warden. In Bath, Billy and Hansy were very involved at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In characteristic form, Billy became interested in the founding of St. Thomas which is the oldest church in North Carolina (founded in 1734). Billy spent over two years meticulously researching the church’s founder, John Garzia, and published a book (The Lives and Times of John Garzia, 2005) which documented significant historical information not previously published. Few things exemplify Billy’s intellectual interests and drive better than the publication of this book. He did it because he found it interesting. He needed no other motivation. Billy and Hansy returned to Greenville when they moved to Cypress Glen retirement community in 2013. There they reunited with old friends and made many new ones over the following decade. With energy undiminished, Billy painted, maintained gardens, researched topics of interest (for instance, the genetic evolution of wolves into domestic dogs over time and the evolutionary purpose of hair and skin pigmentation in humans). Billy and Hansy expanded and reinvigorated the Cypress Glen library and, with the help of others, Billy led the effort to establish a permanent on-site medical clinic for Cypress Glen residents. He did all of these things, and much more, with the able assistance of his beloved companion- Ginger the wonder dog. She will be lost without him. It is not possible to adequately express here how important the Cypress Glen community was to Billy. He said often how much he loved it. His friends here know how much he valued them. To all his friends and especially the staff at Cypress Glen, Billy’s family would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your love and kindness over the years. Please know your friendship is recognized and deeply appreciated. Billy’s wife Hansy passed away on February 27 of this year. Billy’s beloved younger sister, Sue Jones Burrow, died on January 17, 2019. Billy is survived by his brother, Alan (Sherrill) in Milledgeville, Ga and his children Alan (Anne) of Arlington Va., son Larry (Michele) of Charlotte, N.C., and Daughter Marjorie (Marty) of Arlington, Va. Billy was also the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren: Caroline, Marie, William, Hannah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Tommy, Terry, Jackson, Eloise and Lily. Billy was the embodiment of how to lead a productive, useful and interesting life. Every place he lived is better for it. A wonderful example to his children and grandchildren. We are so lucky to have had him in our lives. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The ECU Dermatology Medical Foundation, MT731, Brody School of Medicine, 600 Moye Blvd., Greenville, N.C. Remember your friend Billy. Remember he loved you. From time to time take a moment to appreciate his place in your life. Then get on with the business at hand- do something useful. You know that’s what Billy would do. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory.