William A. Johnson

Remembering the Life of Brother William Allen Johnson…
William Allen Johnson (affectionately known as "Bill"), was born July 31, 1952 - the fifth of eight children born to William T. ("WT") and Olevia Johnson. Bill was surrounded by a loving family – two parents, two brothers and five sisters! He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio attending Cleveland Public Schools all the way through John F. Kennedy High School. Bill was industrious and didn't mind working hard. With that in mind, he set out on a job search directly after of high school and landed a position at Alcoa. It was a good match for both Bill and Alcoa. He was employed at Alcoa until 2014 - retiring after 41 years of service.
However, Bill needed more than just work in his life and he discovered the "more" attending church. It was there that he developed a true love for the Lord and a real belief in His teachings. He was adamant in giving the Lord his undivided glory and honor on Sunday! He may have labored at Alcoa during the week, but on Sunday mornings, Brother William Johnson's location was church where he served the Lord with a true spirit of gladness.
Celebrities often enjoy dual citizenship between America and other foreign land. Brother Bill was blessed to enjoy the duality of church membership (and the friendships) – having joined and served faithfully at Antioch Baptist Church in his young adult years, and joining Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in 1995. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Beverly Wills. Beverly and Bill worked together in Olivet's Audio Ministry, and friendship, love and marriage followed shortly thereafter! They were blessed to celebrate 25 years of marriage in September of 2025.
However, whether it was at Antioch leading the Credit Union (for more than 20 years), serving as a Trustee, working with the youth, teaching Sunday School, or working with the varied duties of Olivet's Audio Ministry, Bill had a servant's heart and it shone brightly in his ministry work. His desire to be God's true servant and share the Bible and his spiritual gifts with others made him a valued friend and Brother in Christ to everyone he met.
Family was very important to Bill and Beverly. Both came from families filled with the day-to-day excitement of and love for children, so Beverly lovingly accepted "a bonus son, William E., and bonus daughter, Lauren" when she united in marriage with Bill. Theirs was a family of mutual love and respect for one another.
Although Brother Bill was beset with health challenges in recent years, you never knew it. He continued to be his normal self…he never ceased to study and share the Bible with anyone who would listen. You never knew he was ill because he was always upbeat and direct, with a friendly listening ear for all. He hid the words of Psalm 48 in his heart – so much so that he proudly displayed "Psalm 48" on his automobile license plate!
Believing the Word of the Lord as he did, the closing verse of Psalm 48: "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death," held a special meaning for Bill in his latter days. How apropos that Brother Bill should be called home to eternal rest on the Lord's Day, Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Western Reserve Hospice of Cleveland. Brother Bill, the mild-mannered brother in Christ and friend we all knew and depended upon, passed peacefully and quietly
Bill's parents, WT and Olevia Johnson, sisters Rose Martin and Joann Johnson, and brother, John Martin, have all preceded Bill in death.
Many fond memories will be shared by his loving wife of 25 years, Beverly; his daughter, Lauren Johnson; his son, William E. Johnson; one brother, Eddie Johnson; three sisters: Doris Cox, Clara Walker and Patricia Tucker; one brother-in-law, Harrington Wills; three sisters-in-law: Megan Wills, Rosemary Wills and Brenda Dennis; a dear friend, Gloria Gresham (Mother of Lauren and William E.); and grandchildren: Madesyn Dailey and Kaylani Davis, in addition to a host of extended family, dear friends and neighbors from across the years.
Surely Brother William Johnson, who believed there was a scripture for any situation in life, would appreciate these scriptural footnotes to his life from 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (NRSV) …"And now the time has come for me to stop fighting and rest." (LB)
Humbly Submitted,
The Family
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to the Western Reserve Hospice Center at 300 E. 185th Street, Cleveland.
Please select the specific location at E. 185th Street if you do not use the provided donation link.
Services

Public Visitation
Thursday
February 12, 2026
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory - Warrensville Heights
25900 Emery Road
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

Wake
Friday
February 13, 2026
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Antioch Baptist Church
8869 Cedar Road
Cleveland, OH 44106

Celebration of Life
Friday
February 13, 2026
10:30 AM
Antioch Baptist Church
8869 Cedar Road
Cleveland, OH 44106