Obituary
Wallace R. “Wally” Jones was born February 22, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan. His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was a year old. Wally attended Bowling Green University, and after two years, dropped out to join the Army during the Korean War. He served two years in Japan as an MP, a driver for the Provost Marshall, and at the “Little Pentagon” working on officers’ records. When the Korean War ended, he returned to Bowling Green to finish his degree.
After college, Wally went to work for Excello Specialties Company to work with his father as a salesman. He eventually became owner/president of the company and grew it to a multi-million-dollar business. When he retired, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida and started a branch of Excello.
When he retired again, Wally started another business, Jones the Sign Man, a decal and name badge company. He retired this business in 2022.
Wally was a Renaissance Man, an entrepreneur, and a gentleman. He served in the Reserves for six years. He authored and published The Story of Excello. He held patents and inventions from his business and interests. Wally collected and repaired antique cars, exhibiting them at car shows all over the country, and winning many prestigious awards. He was a pilot, owned several planes, and flew his own company plane. Wally served with many volunteer organizations at an executive level, including the Korean War Veterans group in Leesburg, Florida. Wally enjoyed his trip to Washington DC with Villages Honor Flight in 2019.
Wally passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Karrin, son Jeffrey Jones (Lisa), four grandchildren, Karrin’s daughter, Kim White, and grandson Henry, dear friend Rocky Schwartz, and his beloved Havanese, Havana.
Memorials can be made in Wally’s memory to Villages Honor Flight, Inc; PO Box 420; Lady Lake, FL 32150-0490.
A military funeral will be held at the Florida National Military Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida at a later date.
Wally will be greatly missed by numerous former employees and friends.
Honor Flight to Washington DC 2019. I surprised Wally and spent a joyful day visiting monuments. Thank you for your service.
Hard to believe that our journey has ended. Thank you for all of the opportunities you allowed me.
You will be missed my friend.
Paul
Gloria Hill