Wilson Rowland Jones

Wilson Rowland Jones was born on August 6, 1945 in Simpson County Kentucky to Queen Jones and Owen Lockhart whom preceded him in death.

Wilson gave his life to Christ and was baptized at the Alpha Baptist Church at an early age.

He attended Lincoln School with the class of 1963.

On October 25, 1965 Wilson was inducted into the United State Army. He served in the Vietnam War as a truck driver, delivering ammunition to the soldiers who fought in combat. During his time of service, Wilson received several medals of honor for his Meritorious Achievement in the Republic of Vietnam; including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army of Commendation First Oak Leaf Cluster medal, and the Bronze Star Medal for his achievement in ground operations against hostile forces.

He left active duty and received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army on October 24, 1971.

Wilson moved to Louisville Kentucky for a short time before moving back to his roots in Franklin Kentucky.

He farmed and returned to truck driving to earn a living. After retiring from truck driving, he continued to do what he loved most, working with the land around the community by bush-hogging and light farming. He loved his animals and working on things; often making the statement “I don’t know how to fix nothin”, but he never gave up until it was fixed.

Wilson enjoyed talking about farming and had a passion for teaching the younger boys everything he knew about farming and how to plant and harvest tobacco.

He especially cherished the memories of Don and Kavin Johnson working on the farm with him as they grew up and continued to talk about them fondly. He always said “Don kept him focused”!

Wilson departed this life on January 6, 2023 at Greenview Hospital.

He leaves to cherish his memories his son Fredrick D. Jones of Lexington KY, Don Johnson of Louisville KY; a brother, Robert Jones of Indianaplis, IN; his nephews Robbie Jones of Indianapolis IN and John H. Turner Jr. of Franklin KY; three nieces, Nancy Massey, Barbara Turner, and Corrine Key of Franklin KY; a special cousin Michelle Putmon of Georgia and a dear friend, Melvin Mitchell of Franklin KY who meant the world to him.

He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his pet dogs Summer and Red.

He was preceded in death by his sister Blanche O’della Lockhart Turner, his brother in law John H. Turner, and a dear cousin Karen Jones Hollis.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 13th, 2023 from 11:00 until 1:00 PM at Alpha Baptist Church located at 301 John J. Johnson Ave Franklin, KY 42134. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM  at the church with interment to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.  The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844