Willie Johnson Jr.

WILLIE JOHNSON, JR., son of the late Willie and Ellis Johnson, was born on January 10, 1945 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He departed this life on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from his home with his devoted wife Marion and other family members at his bedside. At the tender age of twelve, Willie and his family moved to Baltimore. He attended the Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated with honors from Carver Vocational Technical High School in June 1962. Upon graduation he entered into the Armed Forces and served two tours in Vietnam and one year in Korea. Willie was honorably discharged in 1969. Following his military service he attended the R.E.T.S. School of Electronics. He then was employed with the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company as a lineman. Willie was one of the first two African-Americans to be employed as a Paramedic Firefighter with the Howard County Fire Department. Willie met and married the former Marion Jones on November 13, 1989. Their love and friendship brought them together and kept them together for nearly twenty-five years. Although there were no children born from this union, Willie and Marion were blessed with three sons and two daughters from Willie’s former marriage and relationship. “Will”, “Junior”, “Dark Vada”, as he was affectionately called, was the third of five children. He loved his family, his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed playing basketball and cards and he loved music. Will loved old cars, especially the ones he couldn’t afford, and he loved shopping – yes, shopping! The Dollar Store will definitely miss him! If he went out for one thing, he’d come back with thirty. This was the cause of many arguments between him and Marion. The turning point in his life came when Willie decided to give his life to Christ. After hearing the message of salvation, the prayers of his father, the late Elder Willie Johnson, and Willie’s beloved wife Marion were answered. Willie was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He joined his wife and other family members and became a member of Faith Christian Center Church (formerly New Life Pentecostal Ministries) under the leadership of Bishop Roan and Pastor Esther Faulkner. Bro. Willie was a faithful member of the church until his health prevented him from attending. He loved his church family and his Pastors dearly, but most of all he loved God. Left to cherish his memory are: His devoted wife, Marion; three sons, Eric Guy (his wife Sharon), Gary Johnson (his wife, Pamela), and Lamont Johnson; two daughters, Stephanie Johnson and Tiffany McDonald (her husband, Antond); eleven grandchildren, Erica Guy, Lakyeisha Johnson, Lamonye Johnson, Lamar Johnson, Jailyn Johnson, Ladre Johnson, Gabrielle Johnson, Jamar Johnson, Shaniece Johnson, Nyah McDonald and Antond McDonald, Jr. (one grandson preceded him in death, De’Andre Johnson); two sisters, Alice Grey and Linda Johnson (one sister preceded him in death, Betty Johnson); brother, Robert L. Hinton; two sisters-in law, Doris Willie and Carolyn L. Hite (one sister-in-law preceded him in death, Joyce Boyette); three brothers-in–law, Clarence Jones,William Jones (his wife Emma), and Ron Maker (his wife Leslie); and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Willie Johnson Jr.

January 10, 1945 - April 5, 2014