With hearts of sorrow, The Memorial Funeral Home Staff requests your prayers for the family and friends of

Pastor Willie L. Johnson, Sr.

With heartfelt honor, we celebrate the life and legacy of our dear Brother Willie Lee Johnson, Sr., who was a true General in the Kingdom of God, a leader who impacted the lives of hundreds, a great shepherd to many over the years, and a loving husband, son, father, and grandfather.

On Friday, September 1, 1961, in Shreveport, Louisiana, proud parents, W.T. Johnson, Sr. and Claretha Knowles Johnson, welcomed their baby boy, Willie Lee Johnson, Sr. into the world. Little did they know their precious bundle of joy would grow up to impact the lives of many for the glory and Kingdom of God.

Reared in Homer, Louisiana, a model student-athlete, Willie was quite the competitor on the track and football field for the Homer Fighting Pelicans.  He was a proud Pelican Fan. He looked forward to attending and cheering on the Pelicans throughout the years.

December, 29, 1987, he married, Cynthia Standley, the woman that made the twinkle in his eyes shine brighter than the sun and whom he often said was, 'as sweet as a Little Debbie Honeybun'. This love-filled union brought bore four children. Years later, his heart and parental pride expanded as he became a grandfather to five grandchildren that made his smile even brighter. Brother Willie prided himself in being an excellent husband, father, and grandfather who supported his family and gave unconditional love.

During his youth, Brother Johnson accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Homer, Louisiana. His walk as a believer and servant was not taken lightly. As he matured through life, so did his hunger for the Word and desire to serve the Kingdom of God through teaching and igniting others about It. December 28, 2003, his walk, deep Word studies and relationship with God melded as he publicly accepted the call from His Heavenly Father to serve the people of God in ministry.  February 6, 2006, marked the day he was officially ordained and licensed to preach the Gospel and exercise the gifts in the Kingdom under the leadership of Reverend Cleon Warren, Sr.

When the Mt. Superior Church family was seeking a new leader, they chose Brother Willie to lead the flock as their Senior Pastor. His athletic days merged with his mission and purpose as he hit the ground running, spreading the Gospel, helping those seeking more profound understanding of the Word and the Kingdom of God. A true visionary, leader and humble man filled with great faith in God taught the Word and the power of the Holy Ghost without apologies nor complaints. He was an excellent Bible Study teacher he was able to break the word all the down for anybody to be able to understand Gods word. One of his favorite sayings was, "If you don't know anything about the Kingdom of God it's your own fault". Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays he faithfully taught his flock. Following service on Sundays, he could be found at Chick-a-Dilly, sharing the Word with his members and others waiting on their Sunday dinner.

Pastor Johnson's ministry reached beyond the walls of his beloved church. For more than 30 years, he worked at the Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College in Homer, Louisiana, teaching and mentoring the students that crossed his path. After retiring in 2012, he would wake up, open the blinds throughout the house, grab a cup of coffee with his Bible and go sit outside on the porch to study and prepare God's Word for His people. His passion for ensuring the children knew and understood the Word and the how the Kingdom of God works was evident through is ensuring the youth didn't miss Vacation Bible School, Sunday School nor Bible Study. He even had special meals prepared each Wednesdays and Sunday mornings for the youth so that no child went hungry after school nor before Sunday worship.

Under Pastor Johnson's leadership, his teaching, guidance, and encouraging came in full circle. The church went through several renovations. During his tenure, he the church purchased and remodeled the annex building for study sessions, Primary Sunday School classes and feeding of meals; added carpet to the sanctuary and purchased new pews and chairs for the choir and ministers; changed out the roof and replaced the windows throughout the entire church. The physical work matched the growth and elevation of many in the church family as he mentored and ordained: Brother Gary Jones, J.C. Shyne, and Joshua Jones as deacons. He also gain some sons and daughters of the House that also serve in ministry and pastoral roles throughout north Louisiana: Pastor Clinton Jones, Jr. at Love Chapel Baptist Church in Homer, Louisiana, Pastor Anthony Combs at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Sibley, Louisiana, Pastor Prentis Washington, Jr. at Shiloh Baptist Church in Haynesville, Louisiana;, Minister Glenda Allen, Minister Tarez Walker, Sr., Minister John Starr, the late Elder Earnest George and the late Minister Laurice Merritt. One son, Joshua Jones, was elevated and ordained to Minister.

Though it may have appeared he had no free time, he made it his point to spend quality time his family, educate the youth in the community and work on his physical temple through bodybuilding and karate.  He loved teaching self-defense classes to the kids of the Boys & Girls Club. His specialties in karate included Isshinryu receiving 2 ^nd Degree Black belts and Shotokan Belt Karate receiving a Black belt.  He even found time to watch Street Outlaws and cheer on his beloved New Orleans Saints.

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, God whispered the invitation to eternal life to his son and servant. His transition leaves a sting and void, yet we rejoice accept the will of Almighty God. His life left a mark on the life of every person he encountered especially those he loved dearly.

Preceding this great man of God, excellent servant, leader and visionary in death:  maternal grandparents Luke Knowles and Elle Burns Knowles; paternal grandparents Welton and Essie Johnson; sister Norma Gene Johnson; maternal mother and father-in-law Elder Earnest and Lelar George; paternal father-in-law Louis Standley; and brother-in-law Henry Banks, Sr.

Left to cherish the many memories are his lovely wife of 35 years,  First Lady Cynthia Johnson of Homer, Louisiana; children: Willie Johnson, Jr., Louis Johnson, Camryn Johnson, and Flecther Johnson all of Homer, Louisiana; grandchildren Kel'ci Johnson, Logan Johnson, Jeremiah Morris, Isaiah Morris, and Aurora Gardner-Johnson all of Homer, Louisiana; parents W.T. and Claretha Johnson, Sr. of Homer, Louisiana; siblings W.T. Johnson, Jr., Ray C. Johnson, Betty Banks, and Bobby (Jackie) Johnson, Sr. all of Homer, Louisiana; brothers-in-law: Russell Standley of Athens, Louisiana, Dennis Standley of Arlington, Texas, and Mack Banks of Homer, Louisiana; bonus son: Joshua Jones both of Homer, Louisiana; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, church family, coworkers, and students. May the work, love and wisdom of this gentle giant of the Kingdom continue to spread the good news for decades to come.