Willie Lee Jones, 65, of Palmetto, Florida, died on January 24, 2014. He was well known locally for his longtime work with Parks and Recreation and his involvement in community sports. A graduate of Lincoln Memorial High School and the University of Tampa, Jones played football and was reportedly drafted by the Miami Dolphins; his community remembered him for his commitment and selfless nature.

A different man with the same name, Willie Lee Jones Jr., was fatally shot in Ocala on October 26, 2021. Jones Jr. was found dead in a driveway in the 3800 block of Southeast 95th Street after being struck multiple times by gunfire from a .38 caliber revolver. Eyewitnesses identified Johnnie Bee Samuel, who was pursued and taken into custody; investigators recovered a .38 revolver from Samuel’s vehicle and forensic testing matched the projectiles to that weapon. Samuel was charged with felony murder and held without bond as the case proceeded.

Does anyone have memories of Jones Sr. in Palmetto or information related to the 2021 shooting of Jones Jr.?