William Paul “Billy” Johnson, Sr., 71, of Tifton passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Keith Norris officiating. Mr. Johnson will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 25, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen- Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Troy Barber, Bruce Giddens, Sonny Johnson, Don O’Steen, Matthew O’Steen and Jim Bolton will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Johnson, Will Taylor, Leo Walker, Ricky Folds and Lambert Hall.
Born July 19, 1945 in Sparta, Mr. Johnson was the son of the late Eddie Dewey Johnson and Thelma Hadden Johnson. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Junior, Charles and Roy. Before retiring, he was owner of a Mac Tools Distributorship and had previously driven a delivery truck for Pet Dairy and Flowers Bakery. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Tifton.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Carol O’Steen Johnson of Tifton; two sons and daughters-in-law, William Paul Jr. and Mindy Johnson of Yulee, Florida and David and Amy Johnson of Gray; one brother, Tommy W. Johnson of Tifton; one sister, Betty Drews of Fremont, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, Jessica Wiggins, Matthew Wiggins, Elizabeth Wiggins, Ethan Johnson, Alexa Johnson, Ashlyn Johnson and Addison Johnson; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network at www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.