Elder Billy Ray Johnson

March 25, 1948 - July 7, 2019

Billy Ray Johnson was born on March 25, 1948, to the late Clarence V. Johnson and the late Sally Mae Johnson. He passed away at his home on Sunday, July 7, 2019 He was a 1967 graduate of Miles High School in Union City, Tennessee. He was a successful self-accomplished Architect and Licensed Contractor. His work was well known through new home construction, remodeling of homes and churches. He was the lead sub-contractor for Taco Bell and Applebee’s Restaurant in Union City and Dyersburg, Tennessee. He played the lead guitar and was an occasional vocalist for an R&B Band called The Fabulous Verbs. He married Julia Ann Cole on May 6, 1967 and to this union Rosalyn D. Johnson and Byron L. Johnson were born. He was preceded in death by siblings; Clarence Johnson, Virginia Ward, Walter Johnson, Evelyn Ward, Helen Perry, Robert Johnson and Wilbert Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 52 years; Julia Ann Cole Johnson, his children; Rosalyn D. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois and Byron L. (Samantha) Johnson of Hermitage, Tennessee; his siblings; Elder Richard (Florence) Johnson, John Johnson, Inez (Terry) Mayberry, Linda (Charles) Mayberry all of Union City, Tennessee and Mary Alice (Roland) Warford of Toledo, Ohio; sisters-in-law: Maxine Johnson, Mother Lilly Johnson and Verdell Johnson; brothers-in law: James Ward ; six grandchildren: Justin (Crissy) Johnson of Antioch, Tennessee, Branden Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, Nakwon Cockrill, Jada Johnson and Byron Miles Johnson all of Hermitage, Tennessee; six great-grandchildren: Amya Cobbins, Anesa Cobbins, Clarence Cobbins, Jayden Johnson, Jayce Johnson all of Antioch, Tennessee and Andrew Johnson of Chicago, IL; two god-children: Nicole and Nicholas Kenton both of Union City, Tennessee and host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.