More detail on this person: On August 20th, 2022, at the age of 76 following a 8-month fight with cancer, Waverly Phillip Jones passed away. A strong-willed military man to the very end, he chose to pass from this life on his own terms, surrounded by beloved family in the comfort of the home he shared with his second wife, Diana Lee Langer Jones. Waverly, or "Phil" as he chose to go by, was born May 26th, 1946 in southern England, and grew up in his hometown of Richmond Hill, GA. He was the second oldest of 10 siblings, functionally becoming the eldest sibling following his older brother Sonny's untimely passing at a young age. His youth would cement his role early on as an immutable pillar of the Jones family. He took on a paper route when he was just 10 years old, giving all the earnings to his mother to help support their family. That discipline, shouldered too early but shouldered nonetheless, would eventually serve him well when he joined the United States Army in 1965. Phil became an Army aviator who would ultimately fly over 2,400 hours across 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War, and subsequently branch into research & design work. His distinguished 24-year military career included numerous notable commendations and medals - the highest among them being the Legion of Merit, awarded "to any member of the Armed Forces who has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements" Other awards earned by Phil during his military career include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and two Purple Hearts. Phil leaned into the early role he took as the supportive bedrock of his family. He married high school sweetheart Judy Rabbitt Jones, whom he enjoyed 51 years of marriage with. They went on to have two daughters, Lisa Humrich & Angella Williams, and eventually two sons-in-law, Barry Humrich and Jimmie Williams, who Phil came to deeply cherish. Four grandchildren would follow in due time, along with innumerable nieces and nephews, the product of being one of 10 siblings. He would become the steadfast patriarch of a large, sprawling family, for whom his home would be a haven and his undeniable love would never falter. Thus it was unsurprising when he met Diana Lee Langer Jones in June 2020, engaged in a beautiful whirlwind romance and together they found that it was never too late to find true love. Anyone who met Phil attributed him a gregarious kindness and inexorable passion to help others, traits many seek out but few have ever so well exemplified. After his career in the military, he channeled this passion into a career of service, becoming a public servant with Bryan County wherein he worked for 21 years as the County Administrator. Phil dedicated himself to leaving his hometown better off than when he found it - his presence has left a perpetual mark on the lives of everyone he touched. In the final year of his life, he showcased the same resolute dedication to family and ideals. In testament to his legendary vigor, he was on the golf course mere days before being diagnosed with a Stage IV terminal cancer. Undeterred and unbroken, he lived as he always had, supporting those around him with every fiber of his being. Plagued by visions of his own mortality, he was possessed by an indomitable determination to finish his life as he had always lived it - a patriot, patriarch, and paragon of service to others. Phil was preceded in death by his first wife Judy Rabbitt Jones, parents Robert W. and Lillian C.R. Jones, siblings Robert E. Jones, Annell M. Jones, Lynda Jones Champagne, and Kim Jones Bishie. Phil Jones is survived by wife Diana Lee Langer Jones; two daughters and sons-in-law, Angella and Jimmie Williams of Deep Run, NC and Lisa and Barry Humrich of Richmond Hill; brother-in-law Darryl G. Rabbitt (Doris) of Savannah; sister-in-law Linda Litaker of Jacksonville, FL; four grandchildren, Justin Humrich (Erin), Zachariah Humrich, Ashton Williams, and Parker Williams; niece Janine Finn and nephew Denny Finn; a plethora of nieces and nephews and all of R.W. and Lillian Jones family. He is also survived by his siblings; Macky Jones (Teresa), Maxine Thorpe (Alan), Wayne Jones (Trish), Keith Jones (Mary), David (Lori), and brothers-in-law Harold Champagne, and Chris Bishie. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 22, 2022 at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior to the service at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Crumley Hall. Burial will be 2:00 p.m. in Burnt Church Cemetery, Richmond Hill, GA In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Bach Ascending at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension 120 Bull Street, Savannah, GA, 31401 or The Savannah Philharmonics Orchestra 1515 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA, 31401
Burial information: Burnt Church Cemetery, Richmond Hill, GA
This information was last updated 09/05/2022
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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