Willie Joe Johnson

Willie Joe Johnson was born in Madisonville, Texas on December 12, 1937, to parents, S.T. “Tuggy” Johnson and Vivian Cleo Andrews Johnson. He went to his heavenly home on March 3, 2025, in Houston, Texas at the age of 87 years.

Willie and his wife Velma met while he and Velma’s dad worked together on Smith Ranch in Normangee, Texas. They married on December 26, 1958, and had two sons, Joe and Jamie. Willie moved the family to Houston and bought a small house in Northshore, Texas. He then went to work for Cook Heat Treating with Velma’s brother Ray Williams. Ray lost a finger there and Willie a broken leg, while Willie was in the hospital Velma would load the boys up and drive to the hospital and Willie would sneak out in a full leg cast and we would take him home to eat supper. Jamie and Joe were scared to death they would get caught. After Cook Heat Treating Willie went to work at ILA as a Longshoreman He worked day and night for years and bought a new 3-bedroom brick house in North shore. After the boys were grown Velma and the boys moved to San Jacinto County to be near her mom and dad. Willie stayed in Houston and continued to work. Willie and Velma and the boys loved playing volleyball, they played adult league volleyball and played tournaments all over the state and won numerous trophies. Willie bought Velma a flower shop in Coldspring. After a while Willie retired and moved to Oakhurst where he was involved in the flower shop, politics, his hay business, he loved his numerous dogs he had through the years, and his church at Oakhurst. Willie was a Master Mason for over 50 years and was a member of the Rogers Prairie Lodge #540. He was a loving husband and father. He loved Gun Smoke and cross-word puzzles. He will be missed by many. 

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, S.T. “Tuggy” and Cleo Johnson; wife, Velma Lois Williams Johnson; sister, Mabel Christine Johnson McVey; brother, Bill Johnson. He is survived by his beloved sons, Joe Johnson and wife Teresa, and Jamie Johnson and wife Susan; sister, Dorris Harris; grandchildren, Heather Villa and husband Steven, Wesley Johnson, and Magen Johnson; great-grandchildren, Kaylie Willoughby, Macy Willoughby, and Willow Johnson; special friend, Laurie Timmerman.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, 2025, from 11am-12pm at the Coram Deo Church in Oakhurst, Texas. Funeral Service will begin at 12pm with Bro Ron Mendleski officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Capers Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service will be, Mark Nettuno, Dean Cowart, Wesley Johnson, Josh Terry, King Tieken, and Jason Terry. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wayne Knight, Dale Kelly, Joe Williams, Ray Currie, Gary Currie, and Joe Wayne Williams.