Major Willie Floyd Johnson Sr.

Major Willie Floyd Johnson Sr. also known as Bill, is the youngest child born to the late Warren A. and Katie M. Johnson after his 10 siblings Freddie Lee Sander, Velma Johnson Moore, Willie Edna Dyson, Rebecca Lauderdale, Warren Johnson Jr, Mary Helen Austin, Cora Ester Harris, Luther Earl Johnson, Maggie Allen, Lee Clarence Johnson and lastly (the baby to them all) Willie Floyd Johnson Sr.


During Willie Floyd’s lifetime he has been the model husband to our wonderful mother Lucy M. Johnson, married to each other for 49 years as of January 8th, 2021; Willie Floyd loved this woman from the minute he set eyes on her and did everything he could to make sure no one else had the chance to love her like he did (just ask Ricky, as he helped Mr. Willie Floyd in his love plot on the school bus many-many years ago to capture Mrs. Lucy Holland and give her his last name Johnson); his love as a husband remained strong and unwavering toward Mrs. Lucy.
I am grateful to have witnessed their love, silly arguments, and watching them age seamlessly side by side.


Willie Floyd is a father to 4 wonderful offspring and 2 amazing sons-in-law that love him more than words or emotions can express, he was dearly loved and loved us dearly and unwavering; his children oldest to youngest are Willie Floyd Johnson Jr. (age 48), Marcus Antonio Thelesides Johnson I (age 44), Scharonda Lucynthia Johnson Rose (age 42) - married to Carlos D. Rose and Hannah Olivia Johnson Leak (age 37) - married to William Leak.
Willie Floyd is a grandfather to 11 grandchildren that of which he thoughtfully catered to in the most loving endearing ways; his grandchildren include from oldest to youngest Jasmine Kiara Dotson, Aunica Johnson, Maurice Dashaun Dotson, Marcus A.T. Johnson II., Carlos Sundee-Malachi Rose, Jordan Leak, Kayvia Johnson, Ava Johnson, Paisley Johnson, Ryan Josiah Rose, and Olivia Faye Johnson; what an amazing grandpa they have and had.


Major Johnson endlessly has been a loving, often stubborn, but ALWAYS there for his family (immediate and extended), no matter what the circumstances were; he indeed was a very-very family-oriented man.
Every 2 years, no matter where Willie Floyd lived in the world, he would pack up our family in a big brown van and venture across the states to Chicago (or where ever) to attend family reunions or any family events, no matter the distance, to show our family support and continue to ensure we were able and would be introduced to/knew our new and preexisting extended family members across the world; he wanted to make sure we always knew our family and he succeeded at his efforts.


Willie Floyd loved hard and gave the best bear hugs, while simultaneously also being as gentle as a soft breeze of wind.


I dare not compare him to any man because to fill his shoes is almost impossible to do, he was genuinely a one-of-a-kind father, husband, Grandpa, and friend.


To say he is missed feels very premature, and too soon; the love felt for Willie Floyd Johnson Sr overflows like a river flooding the gates of heaven down to earth filling the earth, moon and every star all around us, and that, "almost", describes a pinch of how much he is loved, missed, and cherished.


If he read this profession of love for him, I can hear his infamous words he sang to us our whole life (humorously),.." wasted love and wasted loooove".....this was always what he said when we would say "I love you dad"; he was definitely a character full of life and mischievous humorous remarks.


Let me tell you a little bit more about my father that you may or may not know:
Willie Floyd is a military veteran, formerly serving in both the army (2 years) and retiring as a Major from the air force (20 years); for a total of 22 years of service; Willie Floyd traveled the world with his family and finally settled down for good in Nashville Tennessee, now his resting place.


Willie Floyd was an Iconic figure to whomever he met, he held his chest high, spoke articulate words, smiled a smirk so handsome, possessed a charming twinkle in his eyes, had the kindest soul wanting to help everybody before even helping himself.


Willie Floyd loved to hunt – I mean, absolutely loved it (he is indeed is true hunter - collecting deer head antlers mounted on his walls, eating wild Vinson frozen in his freezer, capturing wild turkeys & collecting the turkey feet in buckets in the garage, stuffed ducks on his wall this list could go on but I digress, I think you get the point); I'm pretty sure if asked he would have easily said hunting was his favorite thing to do alongside playing BID WHIST, which is his favorite card game of all time - he was even writing a book on how to play it; he won bid whist trophies, and played bid whist until the sun came up; this game was his passion/expertise/and talent. Then his 2nd card game loved was SPADES, which was impossible to beat him at - trust me I have tried my whole life, with no luck, sure would have loved to beat him at least once.
Willie Floyd loved to shop; he Walmart hopped to find clearance isle deals, and believe me he found them, (much of what he found would be army camouflage apparel or little flashlights amongst other trinkets or toys); these items usually ended up being Christmas presents to all the Grandkids, along with a large lump sum of money to each grandchild inside their Christmas cards. I love seeing his presents lined up along his basement couch with each grandkids name on it; he always seemingly, without trying, made every occasion with him so sentimental and memorable; these moments will be missed immensely.



Willie Floyd loved to cook family breakfasts and gather the family under one roof, while sitting in his basement lounge recliner chair watching political news and falling asleep as we all noisily walked around him, as if all our loud presences gave him a calm.



Willie Floyd was a man that had a semi limp from his hip replacement, and despite progressively aging over time, nothing could stop his young soul from thriving. He was always on the go and always had a lot to do, keeping himself busy, nonstop.



Willie Floyd regularly sent group text messages about the weather, importance of keeping your tank filled with gas - over 1/2 a tank full at all times - especially during winter seasons; he sent notices of time changes forward and back yearly; get to gathers for family breakfast invites to bring our favorite dish or just bring ourselves; family reunion updates always insisting on paying for EVERY GRANDKIDS reunion fees, hats and shirt; or he would just send random "Luv Grandpa", Dad, and Uncle Floyd reminders. Again, these are the moments I will miss the most.
I could write a book on Ole' Willie Floyd because he was just that amazing.



His time spent amongst family and friends was always filled with laughter, love, smiles, and care.



Major Willie Floyd Johnson Sr was a true gem, a pure soul, and his physical presence will be and is sorely missed but his soul and spirit lives in us all. He definitely left his mark and anyone that knew him would say “they loved him”.
This is definitely not a goodbye dad, this is a "I'll see you later" and Sleep well father, we love you.



Celebration of Life for Willie Johnson
May 18, 2021 @ 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting.

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/4850999251?pwd=UzIJODZSbGRJSWNIT080YVo3UERrdz09

Meeting ID: 485 099 9251
Passcode: wz2c42