July 2 1945 October 1 2022
William “Bill”‘s Obituary William Russell (“Bill”) Johnson, Jr., age 77, of The Village of Cedar Rock, Lenoir, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 1, 2022 surrounded by family. Bill was born on July 2, 1945, in Guilford County, NC to the late Russell and Alene Brown Johnson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother Wesley and his beloved wife, Susan Rivers Johnson. Bill graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in engineering and commenced his career in furniture manufacturing, first for Broyhill in various management and executive positions, followed by Singer Furniture, Kincaid and lastly, La-Z-Boy. Bill then purchased Grand Manor Furniture in Lenoir which by all accounts became an exceptionally successful enterprise. An avid golfer for many years, Bill joined with a group of local investors to purchase Cedar Rock Country Club in Lenoir – a place he loved dearly. Bill was a man of many skills. In addition to serving in an executive capacity at Cedar Rock, Bill also acted from time to time as the Club’s accountant, personnel director, pool maintenance technician, all-around handyman, occasional bar tender, and many other roles. Bill served on the Caldwell UNC Healthcare Board of Directors for many years and was recently named board member emeritus. Bill earned the respect and friendship of nearly all those he encountered. He was known for a no-nonsense approach to problem solving and was never afraid to get his hands dirty to get things done. There is no doubt that Bill Johnson will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Survivors include his beloved companion, Carolyn J. Winkler of Lenoir, NC; one son, William Russell (“Russ”) Johnson III, wife Aleksandra and two grandchildren, Sonia and Alex, of Sydney, Australia; one daughter, Meghan Johnson Respess and wife, Mele Tong, of Brooklyn, NY; two sisters, Russellene Angel and Gloria Weitzel and husband John, of Greensboro, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Cedar Rock Country Club in Lenoir. Graveside services will be held Monday, October 10, 2022 at 12:00 P.M. at Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC, with Dr. David Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: The Johnson Nursing Scholarship at The Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations may be made online at caldwellmemorialfoundation.org or mailed to 639 Pennton Avenue SW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Johnson family. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William “Bill” Russell Johnson, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Russell Johnson Jr July 2 1945 October 1 2022.
Death notice for the town of: Lenoir, state: North Carolina