Obituary for Willie James Johnson, Sr.
Willie “Billy” James Johnson, Sr., was born September 14, 1952 to James Mason and Rebecca Wiley Johnson in Chattanooga TN. He graduated from Riverside High School, class of 1970. Billy graduated from Miller-Motte College with a business degree. He married Gloria Bivins on September 1, 1972.
Billy was employed with the City of Chattanooga, Parks and Recreation for 23 years before he retired. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. When you were around him, he always had something to say to make you smile and laugh. Music was Billy’s passion and sport. Willie was a member of the Shriners Hyksos Temple 123 and a 33rd degree Mason.
Willie was an active member of the World’s Church of the Living God where he served in the music ministry playing percussion and also as a Deacon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rebecca Johnson; son, Christopher E. Johnson, Sr.; brothers, James Johnson, Jr., and Thomas Johnson; niece, Chandra Gray.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 51 years Gloria Johnson; two sons, Willie (Denise) James Johnson, Jr. of Cohutta, GA, Keith (Tenisha) Johnson of Chattanooga, TN; brother, Robert C. Johnson of Huntsville, AL; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Katrina Smith of Huntsville, AL; Gloria Leslie Sandra Yarbrough, Nancy Hinton, Connie Miles, and Pamela Moss, all of Chattanooga; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Wednesday February 8, 2023, followed by an 11:00 AM funeral service in the Chapel of John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995
Interment: Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Billy was employed with the City of Chattanooga, Parks and Recreation for 23 years before he retired. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. When you were around him, he always had something to say to make you smile and laugh. Music was Billy’s passion and sport. Willie was a member of the Shriners Hyksos Temple 123 and a 33rd degree Mason.
Willie was an active member of the World’s Church of the Living God where he served in the music ministry playing percussion and also as a Deacon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rebecca Johnson; son, Christopher E. Johnson, Sr.; brothers, James Johnson, Jr., and Thomas Johnson; niece, Chandra Gray.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 51 years Gloria Johnson; two sons, Willie (Denise) James Johnson, Jr. of Cohutta, GA, Keith (Tenisha) Johnson of Chattanooga, TN; brother, Robert C. Johnson of Huntsville, AL; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Katrina Smith of Huntsville, AL; Gloria Leslie Sandra Yarbrough, Nancy Hinton, Connie Miles, and Pamela Moss, all of Chattanooga; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Wednesday February 8, 2023, followed by an 11:00 AM funeral service in the Chapel of John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995
Interment: Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.