William Jones Sr.

William Allen Jones Sr., age 54, of Porum, was born March 28, 1962, in Oklahoma City to Benjamin Jones Jr. and Hazel Marie (Carter) Jones. He went to be with his Lord, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Muskogee. He is survived by his wife, Jerri Jones, of the home; one daughter, Felicia Friedman and husband John of Porum; one son, William Allen Jones Jr. and wife, Nadia, of McAlester; one stepson, Dustin Muskrat, and wife Michelle of Cordes Lakes, Ariz.; his mother, Hazel, of Porum; two brothers, Roger Jones, and wife Janette, of Claremore, Robert Jones, and wife Ann of Muskogee; one sister, Sharon Dillard, and husband, Alvin, of Porum; four grandchildren, Riley, Karlee, Zach and Gabe; two nieces, Heather Jones and husband, Matt, Cadesha Walden and husband, Byron; two nephews, Justin Jones and wife, Monette, Michael Jones and wife Megan; special aunt, Delores Jordan of Warner; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Jones Jr.; and grandparents, Benjamin Jones Sr., Agnes Jones, William Carter and Effie Carter. Allen graduated from Porum High School in 1980 where he loved playing football for the Panthers. After high school, Allen held many different jobs until he found his love of operating cranes for Deep South Crane & Rigging in Lake Charles, La. This enabled him to travel the United States and the world, operating the largest crane in the United States. He was extremely grateful to have the honor of being a Shriner Clown. This life-long endeavor started with the Bedouin Temple in Muskogee, where he earned his clown name of “Desperado” and ended with him begrudgingly hanging up his clown shoes with the Habibi Temple in Lake Charles, La. on July 4, 2015. Allen married his high school sweetheart, Jerri, after 35 years of being apart. His greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren. Pride was always evident whether he was watching them play sports, video games, fishing, watching cartoons or having tea parties with his granddaughter. Family was an important part of his life. Visitation will be at Mallory Chapel in Porum, Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Graveside services will be held Thursday, Sept. 1 at Cramp Cemetery in Porum. The family requests memorial contributions be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.