Willie R. Johnson

Willie R. Johnson

Willie was born on August 9, 1944, the only child of the Late Willie Mack and Annie Louise Johnson, Marion, South Carolina. He became "absent from the body and present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8) on November 11, 2025 while at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital Henry, McDonough, GA. He was very active in his church, Spring Branch Baptist Church, Marion, SC and was proud to have been the Youth Sunday School Teacher. He attended the Marion County Public School System. He graduated from Johnakin High School as Valedictorian of his 1963 class. He received a full Athletics Scholarship to South Carolina State College (University), Orangeburg, SC, but after a short stay, he joined the United States Air Forces in 1963. He became an Air Traffic Controller in a time of abject segregation.

After his four-year tour in the Air Forces, Willie returned to South Carolina State College where in majored in Mathematics. As he pursued his desire to be an Air Traffic Controller, he became the first Black to work at a desk in Piedmont Columbia Regional Hospital ER, Columbia, SC. In 1970 Willie was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration as one of the first Black Air Traffic Controllers in the Southeastern Region and was assigned to the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center, Hampton, GA. In spite of difficulty getting onsite problem training, he became one of the first of this group to check out on the "D Side," the more difficult training, to become fully certified. He held classes at his home to help other Black controllers succeed. He became a supervisor at the age of thirty-three. He worked in many positions. He was a Computer Analyst and Program Specialist Supervisor where he wrote computer programs for the agency, and he traveled the country writing and updating programs.

Willie joined Zion Baptist Church (ZBC), Hampton, GA and was ordained as a deacon. In 1983 he was ordained as a Minister of God. He served as the Associate Pastor. In the 1990s, he received training and became a Certified Church Administrator. Willie earned a PhD in Bible Studies and a PHD in Theology from International Seminary, Plymouth, FLA. He was humble and did not focus on titles, except that of being called a "Child of God."

Willie had a zeal of God, but he grasped the grace of God in the 1980s when he confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in his heart that God raised him from the dead (Rom. 10:9). He started teaching this sound biblical doctrine at Zion Baptist Church, Hampton, GA and it spread in the Black community on the South side of Atlanta.

On November 9, 2003, Berean Baptist Church was formed in his home in Riverdale, GA. where he was the Founding Pastor. The first regular worship service was held there on December 7, 2003. In 2004, the church relocated to 6733 Suite A2 Springdale Drive, Riverdale, GA. In 2005, the church relocated to 11659A Hastings Bridge Road, Lovejoy, GA. Some other positions he held are: Founder and President, Berean Baptist Church Bible Institute; Advisor, Lovejoy Inspiration Service; President, Lovejoy Interdenominational Ministerial Association; Officer, New Macedonia Baptist Association, Jr, of the Georgia Baptist Convention; Pinned, The Ministers' Minister of Lovejoy: First Hall of Fame Recipient, Marion Alumni Association, Inc (The Marionites)

He was preceded in death by his parents: Willie Mack and Louise Johnson and two sons: Elliott Bathea and Patrick Johnson.

Willie is survived by a loving wife, The Rev. Dr. Carolyn D. Johnson; a sister, Carolyn Jean Cooper, Mullins, SC; two special aunts, Mary Brown, Watonga, Okla and Barbara Johnson, Marion SC; a son, Willie R. (Chanda) Johnson Jr., Douglasville, GA; two daughters, Raenette L Johnson, Marion, SC and LaToya (Reginald, Sr.) Wimbush, Griffin, GA; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, a host of relatives, friends, and ministers.

Willie loved his entire family. However, he had special relationships with Patrice Davis, Raiana (2) Johnson, and Willie (3) Johnson, III.

Visitation with the family was held Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. The service followed in the chapel.

The Rev. Dr. Willie R. Johnson, Sr. (Willie) is already missed. To God be the glory.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.

Please join the family and friends of The Rev. Dr. Willie R. Johnson, Sr. in honoring his life by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.