The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl.The funeral service will follow at 12:00pm that same day in the funeral home chapel. Burial will take place afterwards at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl.
He was born on August 28, 1932 to the late Ralph Wayne Johnson, Sr and Leona Vale Ferguson in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wayne gave 42 years of dedicated service to APAC Construction, formerly known as Warren Brothers Road Company, where he filled many roles until ultimately retiring as an estimator superintendent. Wayne had begun his journey in ministry during his construction career, serving at St. John's United Methodist Church in Yazoo City and Flowood United Methodist Church. He was also a 32nd degree Freemason, member of the Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
In his free time, Wayne could be found enjoying woodworking or tending to his vegetable garden. His passion for woodworking was often channelled into making custom marble boards to give away to others, never accepting any kind of payment for his masterfully crafted handmade works. Wayne simply loved to give to others. Even as his health declined, his generosity was devoted to creating crosses out of clothes pins and butterflies out of clothes pins (sometimes combining the two into a single momento) to gift to folks. Despite his mobility challenges, he stayed determined to continue his ministry of giving to others. Over the years, countless recipients, though many have since moved across the country, yet have still been touched by his seemingly small but kind and impactful gesture, with a one of a kind keepsake to serve as a reminder - spreading his message of making something for others as a way of remaining conscious of what we can contribute to our fellow man.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert A. Johnson and grandson, Jason Michael Johnson.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Louise Collins Johnson; children, Jerry Johnson (Rebecca), Deborah Williams (Bill), and Robert "Bob" Johnson (Tammie); sister, Ella Vale Stewart; grandchildren, Billy Williams, Jr (Rachael), Jennifer Pate (Reese), Tony Johnson, Courtney Wynne (David), Ashley Sistrunk (Zach), Dwayne Johnson (Audrey); great-grandchildren, David Williams, John Williams, John Tyler Wynne, Kelsey Wynne, Jake Wynne, Hollyn Houston, Trent Houston, Ian Johnson, Kayla Johnson, Maddie Kate Johnson, Modey Pate, and Anson Pate; and a host of other beloved extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. John's United Methodist Church at 321 E Thirteenth St, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194 or to Hospice Ministries at https://hospiceministries.org/give-to-hospice-ministries/.
The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Robin Cumberland and Kim Ware for their care and friendship during his illness.
