William "Billy" Chester Johnson

William Johnson, or Billy to his friend and Sonny to his family, was born on December 1st, 1951 in Springfield, CO, the son of Sampson and Christine (Hothouse) Johnson. He had two sisters, Kathryn and Toni. When he was younger, he loved to spend the day riding his horse and working outside. He also enjoyed going to Grandma Josie Johnson’s house for some good, homemade cooking. He started a family and raised four daughters, Cori, Billi, Melissa, and Charlotte. He soon found himself in Louisiana, working on the off shore oil rigs. It was while he was here he would meet and marry the love of his life, Rita Ann Estopinal. They married in 1999. Billy also worked as a Security Officer for Cherokee Nation, and worked at several other ventures. He and Rita purchased a house in Tahlequah after visiting and finding the peaceful, relaxation of the area what they were searching for. When he had a little downtime, he liked shooting pool, building and restoring wood furniture, listening to a little country music and keeping tabs on his three puppies, Susie or Little Girl, Buster and T-Boy. He liked yard work and keeping his yard neat and clean. He had the kind of personality that made you feel you had known him all your life, he was a people person and it showed. Billy had a way with a story, and told them every chance he got. The view from his own front yard was good enough to keep Billy happy, like the time he spent with Rita, watching TV and relaxing. He passed from this life on December 21st, 2021, after a battle with Covid 19. He was 70 years old and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and grandparents.

His memory is being cherished by his wife Rita of the home in Tahlequah, two sisters, Kathryn James and Toni Sexton of Tahlequah, OK, and his daughters, Cori Johnson, Billi Johnson, Melissa Johnson and Charlotte Baldridge, as well as two grandchild, Billy Chastain and Aria Baldridge and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.