William Edward Johnson Jr.

A native of Newport News, Bill graduated from Warwick High School in 1957. He worked in the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company for 15 years and began his career at Virginia Power at the Surry Nuclear Plant in Smithfield. After transferring to Virginia Power’s corporate office in Richmond, he developed the company’s first fire training school. He also traveled to every power plant in Virginia implementing and monitoring compliance of OSHA regulations. He retired after 26 years of service.

Bill was a 20 year member of Smith Memorial Baptist Church in Williamsburg and up until 5 years ago, was an active member of the Friendship Sunday School Class. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his church family.

Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman. He was stationed at Fort Monroe, VA, where he had the privilege of coordinating the military honor ceremonies for veterans’ burial services.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William E. Johnson, Sr. and Ellen Perry Johnson Hutson; his brother, Alfred Johnson; and his Aunt Mary Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 60 years, Sandra Lankford Johnson, of Williamsburg; daughter, Megan Johnson of Winston Salem, NC; grandson, Mason William Clark of Florence SC; sister-in-law, Barbara Z. Johnson of Smithfield; and two special cousins, Hilda Dixon of Woodbridge, VA, and Faye Benjamin of Ruther Glen, VA.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, June 2nd at Smith Memorial Baptist Church, 6515 Richmond Rd.,Williamsburg, VA with burial to follow at 1:00PM at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Bill’s honor to the Smith Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund, 6515 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 (www.smithmemorial.org)