Willie Jerome Johnson, Sr. was born in Fairfield, California on November 9, 1961 to Sylvester Johnson, Sr. and Barbara Jean Johnson. The family settled in Chicago, IL where he graduated from Phillips High School. Willie’s father was in the Air Force so he traveled extensively, to Anchorage, Alaska, Tucson, Arizona, Niagara Falls, New York, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Philippines, Germany, Tulsa, Ok, Chicago, Illinois and then his final destination Akron, Ohio. Willie was baptized at early age and licensed as a Minister under the tutelage of the late Pastor Gordon Humphrey, Sr. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Willie really loved the Lord always went to church no matter what would happen the night before he made his way to church. People were amazed of his talent he loved to sing at anytime and anywhere. He knew the word of God and could recite scriptures. He taught himself how to play the organ, piano and the drums. Willies health started to deteriorate a couple of years ago from diabetes and neuropathy but he kept singing. You could never be mad at Willie for a long time because he would say something or do something that would just be so ridiculous to make you laugh. He will truly be missed always the life of the party with his singing and dancing. Preceding him in death, Mother, Barbara Jean Johnson, Brother, Terence Lee Johnson and Uncle, John R. McNabb, Sr., Aunts, Audrey Benson and Betty Rivers. Willie leaves to cherish his memory to his loving Father, Sylvester Johnson, Sr, (Barberton, Oh), Daughters, Nicole M. Phillips, (Akron), Teniece L. Johnson (Tulsa, OK) Antionette Richardson (Columbus, OH), Sons Stephen Troy Johnson, Willie Johnson, Jr., Travis Daniels, Antwan Benford all of Akron, OH. Sister, Sherryl Renee Gilbert, Brother, Pastors Sylvester (Rena) Johnson all of Dolton, Il, and Brother, Bobby Johnson, (Akron, OH). He had 5 grandchildren, Aniya, Aiyana Phillips (Akron, OH), Alayna, Braylen Jerome, and Cash Johnson all of (Akron, OH) and a host of other relatives and friends.The family would like to acknowledge special friends of Willie, Pastors Frey and Rev. Dr. Just.
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