William Franklin Jones III

He attended Hewitt Trussville High School and graduated in 1961 where he was Treasurer of the Senior Class and voted “Most Courteous.” He then attended Auburn University where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1965. It was there he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Blackburn Jones. After an auspicious first meeting with his future in-laws that included consumption of beer and the scaling of a homecoming float, he married his sweetheart on December 28,1964. They remained married for almost 55 years, until her passing in late 2019.

Bill joined his father-in-law’s business, Southern Slag, a masonry wire reinforcement company. He purchased the business and over the next 35 years, grew Southern Construction Products Inc. into a multi-faceted company with 150 employees, eventually selling to Dayton Superior and retiring in 2000.

Bill served as a Captain in the Air National Guard, past president of both the Harbert Center and Southern Seniors Golf Association and as a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham. He also served as President of the Board of Trustees for the Cahaba Valley Fire and Emergency Rescue Service.

He was an inaugural member of Shoal Creek, a member of Vestavia Country Club, The Club atop Red Mountain, the Safari Club and the Birmingham Ski Club.

As an avid outdoors man, Bill enjoyed snow skiing, hunting, playing golf, fishing, and traveling. Whether with good friends or his family, he traveled extensively and enjoyed entertaining and regaling others with stories from his adventures. Bill was an active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, Carpenters Hands, Stephens Ministry and the Crawford Owen Sunday school class.

Known for his loving demeanor, his sparking blue eyes and witty conversation, Bill was an extraordinary man who made an impression on all who came in contact with him.

Bill was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Ann Blackburn Jones, and his sister, Frances “Mimi” Jones Thomas. He is survived by his brothers, Bob Jones (Sue) of Atlanta, GA, David Jones (Mary Ruth) and Guy Jones (Jenna) of Trussville, AL; two daughters, Cassandra “Casie” Jones Walker (Robert Emmett Walker, IV) and Valerie Jones Ramsbacher (Ronald Hugh Ramsbacher) and five grandchildren, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Church Walker, Sarah Frances Walker, Robert Emmett Walker, V, Katherine Ford Ramsbacher and William Robert “Reid” Ramsbacher, as well as beloved in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

On Friday October 23, 2020 a Drive by Visitation will be held in the parking area of Canterbury United Methodist Church from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and a memorial service honoring the life of Mr. Jones will begin at 2:30 pm in the Sanctuary of Canterbury.

In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to send donations to Canterbury United Methodist Church.