1948
William
2015
William Johnson
October 23, 1948 — July 23, 2015
William “Bill” Lawrence Johnson was the youngest of five born October 23, 1948 in Santa Barbara, CA to Reverend Glenn William Johnson and Velma Lee (Mason) Johnson. He attended Sacramento High School in Sacramento, CA and completed his education at Sacramento Job Corps. He obtained his degree in Business Administration at San Jose State University in San Jose, CA in 1978.
William entered into Holy Matrimony with Vernice “Tiny” Johnson on June 7, 1969. Born to this union were three wonderful children Adrianne, Aaron, and Anthony. William and Vernice Johnson remained married until her death in 1980.
Although it is said that true love only happens once in a lifetime, this was not the case for William who met and later married Vickie Johnson on October 28, 1989. William Johnson remained deeply in love with his wife Vickie for 25 years. Born to this union were two beautiful twin daughters Lea & Nia. Nia preceded him in death in 2012.
William’s love and dedication to family inspired him to be a co-founder of what is now “The Annual Johnson-Wiley Family Reunion.”
The friends he acquired were extremely important to him. He loved his closest friends as if they were family and would light up whenever presented with the opportunity to spend time with them, entertain, and show off his culinary skills. William also had a great appreciation for music, fashion and art.
William was passionate about competitive sports and played football during high school and college. It was his belief that involvement in athletics developed character that would be beneficial throughout life. As a volunteer football coach, William taught many youth the importance of hard work, team work, perfecting skills and staying focused on the goal. He was truly an inspiration to others on and off the field.
William retired from IBM after 35 years of service including 27 years in various management positions. Throughout his career, William managed manufacturing, materials, human resources, and professional development departments at IBM and received several Outstanding Achievement Awards for Leadership. He enjoyed working with people from all lifestyles and served on IBM’s first Executive Leadership Council on Diversity.
William served on several community and small business boards as a Board of Director and consultant. Throughout his life he was actively involved in his church as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, part of the Men’s Ministry, Youth Director, Co-Chair for the Building Committee, and Church Administrator.
William Lawrence Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Glynn and Velma Johnson; and siblings: Elbert Sr., Jesse, and Joyce. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Vickie;
daughters: Adrianne Cottom and Lea Johnson; sons: Aaron Johnson (Mindy), Anthony Johnson (Lourie), and Jomal McNeal; 6 grandchildren: Chandler, Olivia, Arianna, Eryn-Bleu, Donovan and Isaiah; his sole-surviving sibling Charles Johnson (Mary); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and close friends.
William entered into Holy Matrimony with Vernice “Tiny” Johnson on June 7, 1969. Born to this union were three wonderful children Adrianne, Aaron, and Anthony. William and Vernice Johnson remained married until her death in 1980.
Although it is said that true love only happens once in a lifetime, this was not the case for William who met and later married Vickie Johnson on October 28, 1989. William Johnson remained deeply in love with his wife Vickie for 25 years. Born to this union were two beautiful twin daughters Lea & Nia. Nia preceded him in death in 2012.
William’s love and dedication to family inspired him to be a co-founder of what is now “The Annual Johnson-Wiley Family Reunion.”
The friends he acquired were extremely important to him. He loved his closest friends as if they were family and would light up whenever presented with the opportunity to spend time with them, entertain, and show off his culinary skills. William also had a great appreciation for music, fashion and art.
William was passionate about competitive sports and played football during high school and college. It was his belief that involvement in athletics developed character that would be beneficial throughout life. As a volunteer football coach, William taught many youth the importance of hard work, team work, perfecting skills and staying focused on the goal. He was truly an inspiration to others on and off the field.
William retired from IBM after 35 years of service including 27 years in various management positions. Throughout his career, William managed manufacturing, materials, human resources, and professional development departments at IBM and received several Outstanding Achievement Awards for Leadership. He enjoyed working with people from all lifestyles and served on IBM’s first Executive Leadership Council on Diversity.
William served on several community and small business boards as a Board of Director and consultant. Throughout his life he was actively involved in his church as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, part of the Men’s Ministry, Youth Director, Co-Chair for the Building Committee, and Church Administrator.
William Lawrence Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Glynn and Velma Johnson; and siblings: Elbert Sr., Jesse, and Joyce. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Vickie;
daughters: Adrianne Cottom and Lea Johnson; sons: Aaron Johnson (Mindy), Anthony Johnson (Lourie), and Jomal McNeal; 6 grandchildren: Chandler, Olivia, Arianna, Eryn-Bleu, Donovan and Isaiah; his sole-surviving sibling Charles Johnson (Mary); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and close friends.
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