Johnnie Leroy Williams Sr.

Johnnie Leroy Williams, Sr. was born on August 12, 1963, to Mary Lee Robinson and Johnnie B. Williams in Maricopa County, Arizona. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1975, when Johnnie was 12 years old, along with his younger brother, Kevin. Growing up in Portland had become a playground and a setting for both guided and self- teaching life skills that took Johnnie from selling candy door to door to becoming a co-owner of a clothing store. Johnnie attended both John Adams and Andrew Jackson High Schools. He was popular amongst his classmates and during lunch breaks Johnnie would often be seen "hanging out" with a group of his "patnas" or in the gym showing off his skills playing basketball. While summer breaks were going, you could find Johnnie on a basketball court at one of the local community city parks playing as if he was an NBA star, his skills were superb!
As the eldest of a household of five boys, Johnnie shared the responsibility to guide his younger brothers into becoming young men. Johnnie not only set goals for himself but encouraged his younger siblings to become positive pillars of their community by teaching and showing them how to be family oriented, respect and love all people, and to become hard workers to be self- sufficient and leaders of their homes.
Johnnie was very boisterous, comical, and loved being the center of attention. He liked to dance and get with the younger generation to get his "freestyle" rap game on. Johnnie was a master on the grill and would often barbecue enough to share with his colleagues at work. Johnnie worked at Portland Bottling Company for 20 years.
Johnnie's favorite hobby was to go to a local bar or restaurant and drop a $20 or two (or more) into a video poker machine on a Thursday or Sunday. His entertainment was watching the grandchildren play, do their dances, and run around in chaos, they could never do any wrong in his eyes. Now as far as sports, Johnnie was a lover of basketball, his favorite college team was the Georgia Bulldogs and his NBA team was of his current hometown: The Portland Trailblazers. His favorite sport was NFL football, and you could not tell him anything about his Dallas Cowboys! If you happened to be in his presence while a game was on, he would tell you to be quiet so "I can coach my team." You'd dare not talk ill about "Dem Boys" or laugh if they were losing because you just might get kicked out. (LOL).
Johnnie married his current wife of 19 years – (Karin Parrish) on December 3, 2006, in which Johnnie inherited five stepchildren and became their "POPS". Johnnie was a leader, protector, and non-judgmental, he had a caring heart, and he loved hard which made it easy for others to return it back. Johnnie's family and friends enjoyed being a part of his life, he will truly be missed and will leave an empty void in all of our hearts. Cherish his memories and hang on to them. We love you and you will truly be missed Johnnie "Blaze" Williams.
Johnnie is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Spain; father, Johnnie B. Williams; son, Johnnie L. Williams, Jr.; stepsister, Michelle Holden and her daughter, Shamari Lundy (Toni).
Johnnie leaves behind in mourning his wife, Karin Parrish-Williams; son, Nyagah Baker-Williams (Chocolate); brothers, Kevin Williams, Kenyatta Black (Ken), Suga Ray Black (Sugabear), Saundita Black (Dinky), Mark Williams (Kristy), Deshawn Williams (Shawn)-(Duni), Demetria Williams (Bunky)-(Sara); bonus mother, Vera Holden-Williams; bonus brother, Ernest Holden Sr.; bonus sisters, Vernetta Holden-Washington (Gary), Annette Holden and Latanya Holden-Jenkins; stepsons, Tyree Tabb Elliott (Cherron), Cedric Love III (Jaymie), Arthur J. Sims; stepdaughters, Shae'Lynn Parrish, De'Anjernell Parrish; daughters-in-law, Christina Porte and Melisha Talley; stepson (previous marriage) Taurean (Torey); Eleven grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
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