Joseph William "Billy" Jenkins, Jr., 93, of Palacios passed away on July 2, 2018. He was born in May 30, 1925 in Houston, Texas to Joseph Ward and Ruth Chamblee Jenkins.

Billy started his education with grammar school in Ashby, and graduating at the head of his class in Blessing in 1942. He then joined the U. S. Navy as a Navy Quarter Master from 1943 to 1946. Billy sent signals using Morse code and drove the ship. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he married Dorothy Mae Knebel in June 1947. Billy then started working in Houston in the insurance business, and also worked for Coca-Cola for a short time. Billy and Dorothy then returned to the Blessing area and started farming cotton and milo. Billy returned to school and then became a cotton buyer and formed Jenkins Cotton Co. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was President of Gulf Coast Shrine Club. Billy was the previous owner of Mid Coast Grain in Markham, co-owned Palacios Farmers Gin, and was a CSB board member for many years. He loved to hunt and fish, enjoyed traveling the world, especially Las Vegas with Dorothy. Billy and Dorothy were long time members of the First United Methodist Church in Palacios. They were married for 70 years until her death April 11, 2016.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents; wife Dorothy, and sister Elizabeth Cotton. He is survived by daughter Mary Ann Jenkins; son Joe Jenkins and wife Martha; grandchildren, J. W. Jenkins IV and wife Kim, and Justin Jenkins and wife Charity; great grandchildren Scarlett, Jase, Jacey, and brother Robert Jenkins.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios with Rev. Dave Moreno officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery. Pallbearers are Eddie Knebel, Jr., George Knebel, Jr., Robbie Jenkins, Kenny Christensen, Justin Jenkins and J.W. Jenkins IV. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital or charity of choice.