Former Bryan County Administrator Phil Jones, a decorated Army aviator who flew combat missions in Vietnam, died Aug. 20 after an eight month battle with cancer, according to his obituary.

Jones, 76, was county administrator for more than two decades before he resigned in 2012. He began his career with Bryan County in 1991 and became administrator a year or two later. He took a hiatus during his career at one point to work for the state, but returned to work for the county until his resignation.

Jones was born Waverly Phillip Jones on May 20, 1946 in England. He raised in Richmond Hill and went on to have a distinguished 24-year military career, flying helicopters over 2,400 hours across two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, his obituary said.

Bryan County shared Jones’ obituary on its Facebook page, which generated several messages from those who knew home – including Buck Meeks, a Richmond Hill native who noted that after flying combat tours in Vietnam, Jones “test piloted the helicopters that have served our nation for the last 40 years.”
He called Jones “A fine man and one of Bryan County’s best.”

Jones’ funeral was Monday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home in Savannah. His funeral service is Tuesday at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension. Burial is Tuesday at Burnt Church Cemetery in Richmond Hill.