Obituaries, Saturday, January 20, 2024

Published 6:55 pm Friday, January 19, 2024

William Allen Jones

William Allen Jones went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 7, 2024, at the age of 41.   A celebration of his life was held at First Baptist Church of Troy at 200 W College St. at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2024.  Burial followed the service at Green Hills Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Will Drinkard, Kris Stubblefield, Terrill Smith, Kevin Stephens, Jonathan Neeley, Roderick Burden, Wesley Pennington, and Fred Burden.  

William Allen Jones

Will is survived by many who loved him with all their hearts: his father, Allen Jones; and his mother, Vicki Jones; his brother, Ben Jones; a close friend and “brother,” Fred Jones; and a precious and long-time girlfriend, Meredith Weaver. Aunts and Uncles, Cheri and Rich Wingo, and Marian and Jimmy Renfroe; Cousins, Al Renfroe (Laura), Fran Spann (Zach), Jake Wingo (Katie), Luke Wingo (Alexandra); and second cousins, Scott Taylor, Cade, Addie, Caroline, and Harper Renfroe; Jones, John David, and Jasper Spann; Walker, Sage, and Jake Jr. Wingo; and Patton and Madeline Wingo. Will was preceded in death by his younger brother, Sam; and his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. J. Allen Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. William Boyce Glasscock.  

Will grew up in Troy and graduated from Charles Henderson in 2001. During his four years at CHHS, he played 2nd baseman on the Varsity Baseball Team and wide receiver on the Varsity Football Team. Will was very talented, competitive, and fun to watch! This was his passion in high school, and no one loved it more! Will also graduated from Troy University with a B.S. and was working on a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. 

   We will miss Will’s beautiful smile and being able to talk with him about any and everything. He loved to talk and he made friends easily, and had many friends from all stages of his life. He loved to hunt and fish and began at an early age with his BB gun. Early on, he was a great shot, whether it was clays, ducks, deer, turkey or dove. High Ridge, the family farm, was his favorite place and he looked forward to any time he was able to spend there. Alabama football was one of his favorite pastimes. He was a big fan and loved to attend games as often as possible. 

Will is already missed terribly by his family. We are shocked and devastated that he is gone from us, although we know that he is at peace in Heaven with Jesus. The reason we have this assurance is because he gave his life to Jesus at the age of 8 and he surrendered his life again when he was an adult after a worship service in Pensacola. He loved the Lord. He loved his friends and family and would do anything for them. He showed his compassion for others often. Our lives without him will never be the same. 

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jones family.

Walter Burton Sanderlin

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, Walter Burton Sanderlin found his eternal peace with our Lord and Savior. Funeral services were at 3:00pm on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Green Hills Funeral Home with Rev. Dave “Doc” Kirby officiating.  The visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial followed in the cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his father.  Burt is survived by his partner and life love, Arianna George; mother, Kimberly Sanders May; sister, Lane Griffin; brothers, Tyler Sanderlin (Elena), Dane Sanderlin; nieces, Willa and Florence Sanderlin and nephew, Raife Sanderlin. Burt was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Sanderlin; step-father, Kenny May; grandparents, Lester and Olene Sanders and William and Marion Sanderlin, and brother in law, Chad Griffin.

Burt was a quiet man, who bore both the hardships and victories of life with reserved dignity. He seldom spoke of the successes of his life and few knew that he held multiple degrees from Auburn University and Faulkner University, or the black belts he earned in multiple martial arts disciplines. Nor did he want any attention for what his family and friends considered nothing more than heroism, when he stayed on duty at Bayfront Medical in Panama City, Florida as Hurricane Michael wreaked devastation on the hospital. Burt gave comfort and aid to the sick, wounded, and dying, helping evacuate the Intensive Care Unit as a storm-spawned tornado severely damaged the building. 

At his heart, Burt was a family man. He would drive for hours just to see his nieces and nephew, and they absolutely adored and loved their Uncle Burt. Since the passing of his father, Ralph Sanderlin in 2015, Burt made it a priority to have daily chats with his brothers and sister, a testament to the importance that family played in his life. Burt always had a loving and deep relationship with his mother, and he would go out of his way to make sure she never worried about him. 

Burt had a happy and fulfilling life shared with his love Arianna George. From travels abroad to holiday road trips, they walked hand in hand together. They simply got each other and complemented each other’s personalities perfectly. 

He was a great brother, a dear friend, a loving companion, a loyal and caring son, and a fantastic Uncle. His passing leaves a hole in the lives of all that cared for him, and he will be missed dearly. However, we all know that Burt and his Dad have already enjoyed a fishing trip in that eternal sunset. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic Epilepsy Trials in memory of Burt. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sanderlin family.

William Allen Jones