Willie Joe Johnson, 72, of Buda, Texas passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019. Willie was the fourth child born on December 2, 1946 in Anniston, Alabama from the union of the late Thomas C. and Hattie Mae Johnson. He completed his elementary and secondary education in the Anniston public schools.
Shortly after graduation from high school in 1965, Willie joined the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for 21 years. During that time, he received various awards for his outstanding service. He retired August 1, 1986.
Willie married his high school sweetheart Harriet English and they were blessed with one daughter Denise. Willie and Harriet were married 48 years.
Since Willie was such a “young and adventurous” man when he retired from the U.S. Air Force, he tried his hand at managing a fast food chain, selling insurance, and owning a cleaning business. Each of these was short lived of course. In 1988, he began a career with the U.S. Postal Service retiring in 2005. For about five years after his second retirement, Willie worked part-time for Texas Disposal System.
When Willie was in good health, his favorite pastime was fishing. You could always count on him to have at least one story about the “big one” that got away. However, there were many times when the big ones came home with him and he would invite friends and neighbors over to enjoy his catch and hear about his tales. Willie was witty and fun-loving, and he never met a stranger.
In June 1981, Willie became a “new man.” He was born again in Valdosta, Georgia. From that point even until his death, God gifted Willie to be able to touch the lives of many people by lending a helping hand and by showing a compassionate heart that reflected Christ to those around him as Willie served in his local Church and in his community.
In addition to his loving wife Harriet, those left to cherish his memory include his beloved daughter, Denise of Austin, one brother Gary (Denise) of San Antonio, and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Willie will be greatly missed by his family members, his Church family, and his friends.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 25, 2019 at Hays Hills Baptist Church, 1401 North FM 1626 in Buda with a Celebration of Willie’s Life beginning at 2:00 P.M. officiated by Pastor Aaron Kahler. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.
Honoring Willie as pallbearers will be Barry Busbee, Terry Cook, Mike Filippo, Darius Johnson, Jamal Johnson, Redie Mumbili, Norman Witcher, and Allan Crozier.
