1926
Wallace
2014
Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones
July 14, 1926 — July 27, 2014
Wallace “Wah Wah” Clayton Jones, 88, of Lexington, KY passed away after a fall and a short illness on
Sunday, July 27, 2014. Born and raised in Harlan, KY on July 14, 1926, he was the son of Faye and Hugh
Jones. He was preceded in death by his four siblings Dukie, Hugh, Evelyn, and Jackie.
Wallace married his beloved Edna Ball in Middlesboro, KY on August 9, 1947. They were married for 56
years before her passing in 2003.
His family was the most important thing in his life. Even though Wah Wah became somewhat of a star
after all of his sport success at UK, he still found time to attend most of the sporting activities of his
children and grandchildren. He also loved all the family dogs and, especially, his little dog Abbie who
was his constant companion after the passing of his wife.
He was a member of the Lexington Country Club where he could be found often playing golf. He wanted
to play golf while at UK but after playing basketball, football, baseball, and running track, he couldn’t
manage to find time. His accomplishments include: being a member of the original Fabulous Five,
member of the 1948 and 1949 NCAA Basketball Champions, winner of a Gold Medal in basketball at the
1948 London Olympic games, earning All-American honors in both football (Bear Bryant), basketball
(Adolph Rupp), All-SEC in baseball (Frank Mosley) and lettering in track and field (Dan Seaton). Wah Wah
has had his #27 retired in both basketball and football and is the only player elected as a "Living Legend"
in both basketball and football in the SEC. Wah Wah is a member of the inaugural Kentucky High School
Basketball Hall of Fame.
He was also the President of Blue Grass Tours, a charter bus and tour company
.
He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a huge supporter of Cardinal Hill and of the
Bash, the Goodwill Games, a member of the Lion’s Club, and many other activities. He was the first
Republican Sherriff elected in Fayette County serving from 1954 – 1958.
He is survived by his children: Wallace “Wah” Jones, Jr. of Lexington, Vicki Jones of Lexington and Ira
Dawson (Bruce), of Louisville; his grandchildren: Brian Mains (Crystal), of Louisville, Shawna Landers of
Florida, Cara Canada (Brandon), of Louisville, Ashley Dawson of Louisville, and Corey Jones (Ashley), of
Lexington; his 7 great grandchildren: Taylor Mueller & Amelia Mains, Addilyn & Lucas Landers Ali
&Reagan Canada, Carson Jones, and Judy Jones, mother of grandson Corey.
He will be taken back home for a Visitation in Harlan at the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home from 5 until 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2014.
There will then be a celebration of his life on Thursday, July 31, from 3 – 8 pm at the K-Men’s Club, 1398
Sports Drive, Lexington, KY.
Visitation will be Friday, August 1, from 10 – noon at Immanuel Baptist
Church, 3100 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, KY. The funeral service will begin at noon, immediately
following the visitation.
Burial will then follow in the Lexington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to your favorite animal rescue facility, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, to the University of
Kentucky's K-Mens Club, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital , or the Lions Club in memory of Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones
The family wishes to thank Dr. Greg Hood for his extraordinary skill, concern and compassion for our father and family over the years. Additional thanks go out to the staff at Central Baptist and Lexington Country Place for their loving care given to Dad.
Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home, Harlan is honored to be serving the Jones family. Condolence can be made at
www.aljfh.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones, please visit our flower store.