Mr. William Helton Johnson, age 81, of Oconee passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021 following a brief and unexpected illness. A graveside funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 23 at 2:00 P.M. in the Antioch Christian Church Cemetery in Oconee. Reverend Scot Kitchens and Reverend Gary Younce will officiate. The family respectfully request that attendees wear proper face masks and remain socially distanced in adherence of Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 guidelines.
Mr. Johnson was born in Oconee, Georgia, the son of the late Robert Felton Johnson and the late Helen Lord Johnson. He attended and graduated from the Tennille High School in 1958 before serving in the United States Army. William made a lifelong career in the sawmill industry and was well-known and respected throughout the Southeastern Territory for his knowledge and skills related to sawmill operations. Mr. Johnson was known as a servant leader in his community. He attended the University of Georgia and the Mercer School of Law to obtain various certifications in efforts to better serve the community. William was a former Mayor and Police Commissioner of Irwinton, Georgia. Mr. Johnson also served as City Recorder and Magistrate Judge for the City of Oconee. He was a member of the Oconee Church of God. William was described as a humble and faithful servant of the Lord who modeled true Christianity with his loving and giving spirit. Mr. Johnson was a talented musician, able to play several instruments while singing gospel songs. He enjoyed attending classic car shows, often winning “Best of Show” with his prized 1929 Model A Ford. William loved spending time with loved ones on family camping trips. Above all, Mr. Johnson was revered as a genuine and good man, wise in counsel and full of integrity and high moral character. He will be sorely missed as a friend to all who knew him.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his devoted wife of twenty-three years, Doris Johnson of Oconee; two sons, Robert Johnson and his wife Megan of Warner Robins and William Johnson and his wife Missy of Gordon; two daughters, Dawn Courson and her husband John of Clemmons, North Carolina and Amanda Lossiah and her husband Brandon of Gray; eleven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Emory Johnson and his wife Ann of Kathleen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in Mr. Johnson’s honor be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at stjude.org/donate or to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children at donate.lovetotherescue.org.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the funeral arrangements.