Mr. William Eddie Edward Johnson Jr.

William Edward Eddie Johnson, Jr. - RINCON - William Edward Eddie Johnson, Jr., 45, of Rincon, died Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Memorial Health Medical University, surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was born in Savannah, GA, grew up on Talahi Island, Ga, and resided in Effingham County with his wife and daughters for the last 11 years. Eddie was a 1985 Graduate of Calvary Baptist Day School. He then attended Georgia Southern University and received a degree in Criminal Justice in 1990. While attending Georgia Southern University, he became a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After graduation, Eddie began his maritime career, working for various stevedore companies. In November of 1998, he began employment with the Georgia Port Authority and to date held the position of General Manager for the Container Operations Division. Eddie worked tirelessly to promote production at the ports and was readily known as the Go To Guy for any information on trucking to technology. He worked to implement the NAVIS Terminal Operating System and the Automated Terminal Asset Management System, as well as strived to promote growth for the port authority. His business relations allowed him to serve as a member of EMLET, the Propeller Club of Savannah and the Effingham County Career Academy Board. Eddie also served the Effingham Community in many ways as a previous member of the Ebenezer Middle School Parent -Student Council, working tirelessly with the Ebenezer Middle School sports boosters, Ebenezer Middle School and Effingham High School Competition cheerleading teams parent boosters. You could always find Mr. Eddie at a ball game or competition of any type, cheering on the athletes! Eddie was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Springfield. He served as a Deacon, worked with the AWANA ministry, but was most fondly remember for co-directing VBS for 7 years with his wife, Stephanie. Through this ministry, children's lives were touched and changed for God's glory. Eddie will always be known for his love of God and family. He shared his love of nature, the outdoors, and being an avid hunter and fisherman, with his father. He is survived by his daughters, Abigail Johnson and Caroline Johnson, and his wife of 23 years, Stephanie Nichols Johnson; his parents, William Eddie Johnson, Sr. and Toni D. Johnson of Savannah; his sister, Cindy Johnson Hawk and Brother-in-law, Wes Hawk, nieces, Olivia Hawk & Lindsey Hawk of Savannah; several cousins and extended family. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at Fairhaven Funeral Home & Crematory, Hwy 80, Garden City. The funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 27th, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Springfield, HWY 119, Springfield, Ga. Interment will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians and staff at Memorial Medical University for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Eddie and the family during his stay there.