Mr. Willis Johnson, 79, passed away early Sunday morning August 22, 2010 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home and Palliative Care Center after an extended illness. He was born May 29, 1931 in Savannah, Georgia to Rose Brooks Johnson and Willis Johnson. At an early age he moved with his family from Savannah to New York, New York. Mr. Johnson attended and graduated from The New York School of the Arts in Manhattan in 1950. In high school Willis gained considerable attention and accolades for his basketball ability. Due to his prodigious basketball skills he was recruited and offered scholarships by various colleges. In 1950 he accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University). During his years at WSTC he distinguished himself as an outstanding player. As the team captain and leading scorer he not only garnered individual honors, such as being an All-CIAA selection, but he also lead the 1953 WSTC Rams to its first CIAA championship. Willis, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, combined athletic grace and academic achievement during his years at WSTC. He was an excellent student and graduated with honors in 1953 with a degree in Elementary Education.
After college Willis served in the United States Army where he continued to excel on the basketball court. During his years in the service he was chosen captain of the Caribbean Command team. One of his early jobs after leaving the service was at Diggs Elementary School in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System. He also taught and coached at Kennedy High School for a number of years and then moved to Mineral Springs Junior High School where he taught art and coached basketball and football successfully for many years.
In 1975, Willis was honored by Winston-Salem State University with his selection into the Winston-Salem State Sports Hall of Fame. His basketball accomplishments were further honored in 2007 when the 1953 CIAA Championship team was also inducted into the Winston-Salem State University Sports Hall of Fame.
After more than 40 years of dedicated service in the field of education Mr. Johnson retired in 1994. In addition to his career with the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System he also worked for twenty-six years at the North Carolina Governors School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His service in education and to the state of North Carolina was exceptional and his impact upon the lives of his students, players, and community is truly immeasurable.
Willis was preceded in his death by his father, Willis Johnson.
He is survived by his loving mother, Rose Brooks Johnson of the city; his devoted and loving wife of fifty-one years, Thomasina McKnight Johnson; his adoring daughter, Erika Johnson (William, Jr.) Brooks of Encino, CA; his loving son, Eric (Andrea) Johnson of Loganville, GA; two grandchildren, William E. Brooks III and Ila Grace Brooks; and a host of family and friends.
Willis will be remembered as a good provider for this family, devoted husband and care giver to his wife Thomasina, a loving son to his mother Rose, a loving and very proud father of his two children Erika and Eric, and a doting grandfather to William III and Ila. His strength, generosity and helpfulness are all indicative of the man that he was. Throughout the course of his life his indomitable will, fortitude and determination made him successful in all of his endeavors. These same characteristics were further demonstrated in his courageous battle with his illness. Despite his failing health he never complained about his physical condition. His strength during these adverse circumstances was a testament to the man that he was. Willis will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and his colleagues, and his memory will live on forever in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.
Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10am until 11am on Saturday at the funeral home.