Willard Kent Johnson

Willard Kent Johnson of Austin, Texas passed away June 4th, 2023 at his home. Kent was born May 24th, 1942 in Dallas, Texas to Elmo Johnson and Leila Faye Johnson (Williams). Kent played college baseball at Baylor University and the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduating college, he joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Chile. He later graduated from The University of Texas School of Law. He was an attorney for the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and later, the Employees Retirement Systems of Texas. Kent was a football referee for 45 years and had many stories to tell about his time on the field. Kent volunteered in the 4-year-old Sunday School room at Hyde Park Baptist Church for 25 years.

Kent is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Mary Geneva Bray Johnson; brother, Reed Johnson; son, Coleman Johnson; daughter, Christian Nash; four grandchildren, Cailey Johnson, Caiden Johnson, Ellie Nash, and Keegan Nash; many dear friends; and the members of Girl Scout Troop 502.

There will be a celebration of life at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations to Austin Pets Alive! would be greatly appreciated.