William Franklin (Bill) Johnson, Jr.

William Franklin (Bill) Johnson, Jr. 79, died suddenly Sunday, April 27, 2008 at his home in Cotton, Georgia. He was born on May 30, 1928 in Valdosta to the late William F., Sr. and Luana Roberts Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a 1946 graduate of Valdosta High School where he played football for the Valdosta Wildcats under Coach Buck Thomas and baseball for the Georgia-Florida League as catcher. He also attended Valdosta State College. He remained a loyal Wildcat Supporter and avid sports fan throughout his life. Mr. Johnson especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. He married Geraldine (Gerry) Westberry on October 14, 1947 and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a cruise to South America accompanied by their lifelong friends, Belle and Joe Polk and Bobbie and Sonny Stephenson. Mr. Johnson worked in the Valdosta area for twenty years in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning industry before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina where he retired in 1990 from Pipe and Boiler Insulation Company. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Lee Street Baptist Church in Valdosta and attended Harmony Baptist Church in Cotton.

Survivors include his wife, Gerry Johnson of Cotton, his children and their spouses, MSgt. USAF (Ret) William F. (Frank), III and Janet Johnson of Cotton, Carol and Tom Giddens of Marietta, and Dr. Steve Johnson of Thomasville, grandchildren and their spouses, Mitzi Johnson Howell and Joey Howell, Andrew and Cassie Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Casey Giddens, Kelly Giddens and Zak Johnson, great grandchildren, Taylor and Dylan Howell, Dallas and Mike Howell and Shelley, Drew and Daniel Johnson, sisters and brothers in law, Arminda Morrison of Valdosta, Betty Greene of Rome, Ga., Nancy and Jack Allen of Valdosta and Jim Brantley of Valdosta, brothers and sisters in law, Thomas and Margie Johnson of Valdosta, Robert and Peggy Johnson of Brooks County, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Bea Brantley.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Olen Cain officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-3pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Harmony Baptist Church, 1067 Ash Road, Meigs, GA 31768. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602