Mr. Harford Willis Jones

Harford Willis Jones, 76, entered his cabin in the corner of Heaven on August 24, 2014. He was born to the late Mattie and Joe Jones, March 15, 1938, in Chunky, Mississippi. He married Peggy Lancaster Jones, on March 25, 1961, and they lived in the Jackson/Byram area for more than 53 years. Willis retired as a long haul truck driver with Yellow Freight in the spring of 2005. He was known as “SlewFoot” or “Casey Jones” by truckers from Jackson, Miss., to Dallas, Texas, which was his regular route. He began his career with Ergon Trucking and remained with them for several years until he began his employment with Yellow Freight. Anyone who knew Willis knew his great love for country and bluegrass music. He often traveled to bluegrass festivals in the South and spent many days in Nashville in his younger years. More than anything, Willis had a great love for the Lord and his “precious” family, as he referred to them. His grandchildren, Zach and Allison (Zipper and Sissy-baby to him) were the light of his life, and he and Peggy spent many days enjoying their grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities. His love for Jesus was evident in that he shared that love with so many people. He was very active in his church, Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene. Along with his parents, Willis was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Clarence Jones and George Richard Jones. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Lancaster Jones; a son, Marshall Jones of Petal, Miss.; a daughter and son-in-law, Cara and Philip Slusher; a grandson and grand-daughter-in-law, Zachary and Kristyn Slusher, and a granddaughter, Allison Joy Slusher, all of Hattiesburg. He was also survived by two sisters, Ella Wease Brock, Richland Miss., and Mattie Pearl (Arlo) Alderman, Lynchburg, Tenn. In addition, Willis was survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday, August 25 5pm-8pm at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram and Tuesday, August 26 from 1pm until the 2pm service at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram, Miss. Interment will follow at Lakewood South.