Services for Willie Johnson, 87, of Oakhurst, were held Friday at Coram Deo Church in Oakhurst, with Ron Mendleski officiating. Burial was in Mt. Capers Cemetery in Oakhurst.
Willie was born Dec. 12, 1937, in Madisonville. He passed away March 3, 2025.
Willie got a scholarship to play football, but his love was basketball.
Willie and Velma met while he and Velma’s dad worked together on Smith Ranch in Normangee. They married on Dec. 26, 1958, and had two sons, Joe and Jamie. Willie moved the family to Houston and bought a small house in North Shore. He went to work for Cook Heat Treating with Velma’s brother, Ray Williams. Ray lost a finger there and Willie suffered a broken leg. While Willie was in the hospital, Velma would load the boys up and drive to the hospital and Willie would sneak out in a full leg cast and we would take him home to eat supper. Jamie and Joe were scared to death they would get caught.
After Cook Heat Treating, Willie went to work at ILA as a longshoreman. He worked day and night for years and bought a new three-bedroom brick house in North Shore. After the boys were grown, Velma and the boys moved to San Jacinto County to be near her mom and dad.
Willie stayed in Houston and continued to work. Willie and Velma and the boys loved playing volleyball; they played adult league volleyball and played in tournaments all over the state and won numerous trophies.
Willie bought Velma a flower shop in Coldspring. After a while, Willie retired and moved to Oakhurst where he was involved in the flower shop, politics, and his hay business. He loved his numerous dogs he had through the years and his church at Oakhurst. He was a loving husband and father. He loved “Gunsmoke” and his crossword puzzles. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents, S.T. “Tuggy” and Cleo Johnson; wife, Velma (Williams) Johnson; sister, Mabel Christine (Johnson) McVey; and a brother, Bill Johnson. Survivors include his children, Joe Johnson and wife, Teresa, and James Johnson and wife, Susan; grandchildren, Heather Villa and husband, Steven, Wesley Johnson, and Magen Johnson; great-grandchildren, Kaylie Willoughby, Mayce Willoughby, and Willow Johnson; sister, Dorris Harris; and numerous other family members and friends.
Pallbearers were Mark Nettuno, Dean Cowart, Wesley Johnson, Josh Terry, King Tieken and Jason Terry.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Knight, Dale Kelly, Joe Williams, Ray Currie, Gary Currie and Joe Wayne Williams. 428
