John Wesley Sales Jr., 81, of Monroeville passed away Tuesday, July 31 at his residence.

He was born on Dec. 29, 1932, and grew up in the Flomaton-Century area of Escambia County. He was married on Jan. 9, 1955, to the former Willean Bondurant. They celebrated 59 years of marriage on Jan. 9, 2014.

He began his career in the automobile business on Nov. 14, 1954, selling Plymouths and Desotos in Mobile. On Jan. 1, 1962, he started JW Sales, Inc., a used car business in Century, Fla. In September 1966, he purchased Sales Ford, Inc. in Monroeville and later, in November 2002, purchased a second dealership, Sales Ford Lincoln-Mercury Inc., in Grove Hill.

He believed that selling was an attitude and that you must have the right attitude to achieve success. He sought to incorporate a strong pride in church, family, community and country into his business this was the foundation in which he built his business on.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley Sales Sr., and Lula Boutwell Sales; one brother, James Sales; one granddaughter, Emily Claire Brewer; and one grandson, Dillon Keith Jordan.

Mr. Sales is survived by his wife, Willean Bondurant Sales of Monroeville; two sons, John Wesley (Rosalyn) Sales III and James William (Vanessa) Sales Sr., both of Monroeville; two daughters, Janiece Sales (Jeff) Brewer of Huntsville and Diane Sales (Robert) Lindsey of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; one sister, Dorothy Johnson of Flomaton; three brothers, Barnie (Betty) Sales of Mobile, Donald (Brenda) Sales of Flomaton and Carl (Celia) Dole of Eufaula; 14 grandchildren, James William Sales Jr., Christopher Brandon Sales, Jennifer Irene Sales, Kimberly Nicole Sales, John Wesley Sales IV, Brooke Lindsey Hydrick, Kathryn Brewer Gallaway, Stephanie Sales Pruett, Charles Robert Lindsey Jr., Ashley Marie Brewer Jinright, Brandon James Lindsey, Rebecca Lynn Sales, Lauren Michelle Brewer and Jonathan Lavaughn Sales; six great-grandchildren, Judah Steven Del Gallo, Meredith Elizabeth Sales, Alexa Kinsley Rain Gallaway, Elayne Marie Sales, Sophie Olivia Claire Gallaway and Caleb Mitchell Hydrick; and four step great-grandchildren, Madison Pruett, Houstyn Pruett, Kylie Brown and Gianna Del Gallo.

Visitation was held Monday, Aug. 4 from 9-11 a.m. at Monroeville First Baptist Church. Funeral services followed at 11 a.m. at Monroeville First Baptist Church with Dr. Thomas Lane Butts, the Rev. Micah Gandy and the Rev. Glen Eubanks officiating. Interment was at Pineville Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to Kiwanis of Monroeville, Monroeville First Baptist Church or Pilots for Christ of Monroeville.

Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Visit their online registry at www.johnsonfh.org.