William Reed Johnson Jr.
May 13, 1934 ~ February 9, 2021
Born in:
Buncombe County, NC
Resided in:
Henderson County, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailWilliam Reed Johnson, Jr. (W.R.), age 86 of Nashville, TN passed away after a short illness on February 9, 2021. He was a native of Henderson County, NC before moving to Nashville, TN. He was preceded in death by parents, William Reed Johnson, Sr. and Signe Berglund Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gail Hyder Johnson, daughter, Sheri Lawrence and husband, Mark, and granddaughter Meredith Lawrence Scully and husband, Patrick of Nashville, TN.
W. R. graduated from Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville, NC where he played on the state championship basketball team. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, Greenville, SC where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville. W. R. was a former member of Hendersonville Country Club, Elks Club, Rotary Club, and Lions Club while residing in Hendersonville. He retired from First Citizens Bank in 1995 where he was Senior Vice President, Regional Manager of Western North Carolina Sales Finance Lending.
W.R. was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who shared his advice and love freely. He enjoyed his many friendships including those in supper club.
Graveside services will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eliada, 2 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC 28806 or eliada.org, where his parents sponsored children for years.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
With my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the family in this, your time of grief. Love, Alton
Thank you so much.
Thank you for the light that keeps on shining.
Gail and family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will forever remember the good dinners we all had together with Ed being with us.
Thank you so much. Good times and wonderful memories.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathy
Thank you so much.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Martin & Rose Ann
Thank you so much for all your expressions of sympathy.
Seeing W.R.’s picture, I couldn’t help but smile. He was the dearest and that picture captures his essence. I’ll be with you all in thoughts and prayers Saturday.
Sending hugs and kisses,
Mr. Johnson was a truly lovable and kind person.
Sending you hugs Ms. Johnson!
Thank you so much.
Gale and family, Sorry for your loss. Will remember you in prayer. Darlene Hyder
Thank you so much.
Praying for peace for the Lawrence family. Sheri, your dad was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed.❤️
W.R. was my mother’s boss during the 60’s and 70’s in H’ville. He and Gail were very supportive of her for many years, and she was appreciative of all they did for her. One Sunday they invited they invited staff and families over for a backyard cookout. I was about 17 and W.R. taught me how to grill a steak! A few years later he hired me to be a bouncer on Sundays at his motocross track on his parents farm. That tiny thing was a real blessing for me – the $15 for 3 hours work would by my food for a week at college. I’ll remember him as a kind and giving man. My condolences to the family for such a loss.
What a wonderful story and memories of W.R.!! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Lot of good basketball times &supper club will miss you
So many good memories, thanks!
Betty & Clyde Ingersoll
Thank you so much.
The whole Johnson family has been so special in my life. It was with great sadness that I read about Mr. Johnson’s passing but also happiness knowing where he is now. Mrs. Johnson and Sheri you have my deepest condolences and our prayers for the days ahead. God bless you all.
Lots of good HHS memories! Thank you so much for your expression of sympathy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you .
Mary B and Beau Hammet
Thank you so much.