Harold Joe Johnson was born 12/13/1939 at Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois born to the late Horace “Pete” Johnson and Lillian Ann Harris Johnson He said “he was born a boy scout”, because he was born at the Vandeventer Boy Scout Camp in
Waterloo, IL; where his father was the caretaker and grounds keeper. Harold died December 24, 2018 at 2:33 am at home with his wife at his bedside. Harold’s wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
He was an avid goose and duck hunter before his health began to decline. He liked to reminisce on how many geese and ducks he killed along with his hunting buddy Francis “Franny” Osborn & Larry Osborn, Harry Pelate & Lloyd La Frances. Harold is now in heaven catching up to his buddies and I bet they are telling some whoppers. He was employed by the Railroad industry for 33 years, as a Carman and welder, a job that he was very proud of and he remarked quite often how much he missed working for the railroad; Harold liked to tell the story that he was employed by four different Railroad Company’s and never left his original railroad yard; and before that Pepsi Cola Company for 16 years. He was A 32nd degree, Mason, Post # 86, Red Bud, IL; in his younger years He raced Flat Track Motorcycles, he was a Commercial Pilot where he worked for the state of Illinois Checking telephone and power lines for problems. He also transported prisoners from Chester Illinois Maximum Security Prison to other prisons across the country, Harold loved his hobby as a Gunsmith repairing guns and building black powder guns. In 2003 he and wife Wanda Sue “Susie” Johnson moved to Corinth, Ms., here he volunteered with the Alcorn County Genealogical Society.
Harold was the oldest of four children, his youngest brother Tommy died 02/24/2012, brother Richard Lee lives in Gerald, MO with wife Carolyn Sue Clemmons Johnson and they have three children: Adam, Andy and Amy. Sister Patricia "Patty" Sands lives in Belleville, IL, she has three children: Aaron, Christopher and Heather. Son-in-law Patrick Welch lives in Freeburg, IL.
Harold married Marlene Haas {1960} in East St. Louis, IL They had one daughter: Michele Frances Johnson Welch {East St. Louis, IL]; Harold and Marlene divorced and he then married his second wife, Wanda Sue Barnes in Waterloo, IL- Wanda had three children: Charles Earl Hinkle Jr. {San Diego, Calif.}, Stephanie Elaine Gonzalez McKenzie {Sandy Hook, Ms} & Billie Joyce Gonzalez Meshulam {Everett, Wash} together they had eight grand children: Ashley Welch Wittler “Barry” {IL}, Josh Welch “Matt Nosko” {Mo}, Kennedy Largent & Alexander Robbins {IL} Christopher Gonzalez “Nikki Feyerabend”” {IL}, Krystal Hinkle, Nicole Hinkle & Timothy Hinkle, {Calif.}- five great grandchildren, Darby & Dakota Hinkle, Gabriella Gonzalez, Drew Wittler & Emma Wittler.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Marie Fowler Barnes {1996} and father-in-law Audy Lewis Barnes {1999}.
The Johnson Family would like to thank the Kare-in-Home Hospice for their wonderful help and support, his nurse Tamra Briggs with whom Harold liked to spar: Her help and support was eminence and a big Thank You to Dr. Pratt and the many people in the Kare-in-Home Hospice Group; his doctors, Dr. Brodie Wayne McAlpin, Dr. Aaron Earles / Dr. Morgan, Dr. David Chase and his wonderful staff; a special thank you to Pastor Joe March and Pastor Allen Parker; I could not have made it without you. A thank you to many friends that cheered him up listening to his stories, believe it or not they were all true, all of you blessed our lives so much! Thanks to McPeters Funeral Directors especially Jay Jones for all your help.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the Johnson family.
Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of McPeters Inc. Funeral Directors.
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