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Billy W. Johnson
Billy W. Johnson of Bridgehampton dies on September 6. He was 72.
Mr. Johnson was born on October 22, 1947 to the late Elnora Johnson and Samuel Johnson in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
He received his elementary education in North Carolina. His family later moved to New York, where he attended and graduated from the Bridgehampton School District. He was well-liked by his peers and was an active member of the basketball team, according to his family.
“The quiet manner and gentle speech in the life of Brother Bill attracted people to him,” his family said.
He met Elaine Ward, and on July 27, 1968, they were married and they lived happily together until his death. They had two daughters: Sheri and Stephanie. The couple not only raised their two daughters, but also their nephew, Kirk, and two of their godchildren, William and Devin.
For many years, Mr. Johnson attended the Community Baptist Church in Southampton under the leadership of the late Reverend Raymond Lee. He later joined and was baptized at the Galilee Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Dr. Roy L. Pennon Sr. He and his wife Elaine were ardent supporters of this ministry until their move to Florida.
For more than 27 years, Mr. Johnson was employed by Boot Tree Shoes in Southampton, and was highly respected and appreciated by his employer, his family said. For more than 20 years, he worked for BJ’s Wholesale in Riverhead, and was transferred to the BJ’s in Orlando, Florida, where he worked until his retirement in 2018.
According to his family, Mr. Johnson loved playing cards, watching westerns and all sports. However, he received more enjoyment from traveling and cruising the waterways.
He is survived by his wife Elaine M. Johnson; his children, Sheri L. Johnson-DeSilvia (Jermaine) and Stephanie Y. Johnson; his grandchildren: Takhia Marie Johnson and Faith Margaret Rose Johnson-DeSilvia; his godchildren William W. Mitchell, Kirk Ward and Devin D. Tillmon (Ercmy); and many other godchildren; his god grandchildren, Evan, Delisa, Elijah and Ethan; his sisters-in-law, Eleanor Aiken of Georgia, Patricia Ward of Iowa and Yvonne Jones of Florida; several god grandchildren; special cousins, Gerald Mullen (Amelia) of Roosevelt, NY, Ruth Washington of Brooklyn, and Faye Pruden of Elmont; two special friends, Robert Saunders of Riverhead and Carlyle Turner of Virginia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A home-going service was held at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead followed by interment at Edgewood cemetery in Bridgehampton. Arrangements were entrusted to the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Sep 21, 2020