When you talk of GAA legends - and gentlemen - the name of Billy Jones is one that will spring readily to mind. His death last week just short of his 90th birthday saddened everyone in Deise gaeldom. A man who served his country honourably in the Irish Army, Billy saw the light of day in Francis Street in Ballybricken's heartland in 1918, and ended that life living in Hennessy's Road with his wife Kitty. They had two daughters, Geraldine and Adrienne. From his teens Billy Jones was a GAA man through and through, and throughout his colourful career he had an involvement with three city clubs - Erin's Own (with whom he played senior hurling), the now defunct Gael Og, and most latterly De La Salle to which he was intrinsically linked. As a member of the Walsh Park committee he oversaw many improvements to the county grounds, and for many years too was one of the Eastern Board's three representatives to the County Board. He will also be remembered for his involvement with the Waterford senior footballers for many years as a member of the background team, and while it wasn't seen as one of the most fashionable GAA "jobs" that fact didn't lessen Billy's commitment to it in the least. He was simply happy and content to be involved in the day to day affairs of the GAA in his native county, and happy to be doing whatever it was he could do to further an Association that was a part of his life. Believe me they come no finer, no more honourable, and no more genuine than Billy Jones whose place in Waterford GAA history is assured. As an independent member of the then Waterford Corporation he had the honour of representing his native city as First Citizen not once but twice, enhancing the status and dignity of the post throughout both mayoral terms of office. On a personal note I'm much more than happy to have known and befriended Billy for the bones of four decades. In truth it has been a privilege. I and countless others with me, have been saddened by his passing but consoled by the many delightful memories he has left as his legacy. In any era and in any company he was a great one. To his wife Kitty, his daughters Geraldine and Adrienne, and all of the other members of the extended Jones family the sympathy of the column and columnist is extended. Go ndeine Dia trocaire ar a anam dilis. - courtesy of the the Waterford News and Star, 28th March 2008 Tweet

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