William Earl Johnson Jr.

William Earl Johnson Jr. 92, of Apison, TN, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at a local hospital.

Earl was born to Margaret Ellen Morris Johnson and William E. Johnson Sr., in Deming, New Mexico. His father died soon after his birth. His mother later married Raymond Johnson, 1 st cousin of Earl's father. One younger brother died @ birth. Brother, Raymond Glenn completed the family. The family relocated to Terre Haute, Indiana in time for Earl to begin 1st grade. He graduated high school from Gerstmeyer Tech; 1943. His deployment to the US Army immediately followed. Before boarding the train for Camp Atterbury in South Central Indiana, he tossed his large collection of marbles down the street for the neighborhood children. Earl served his country during WWII as a radio technician. He was personally present @ the infamous "Battle of the Bulge." He earned several military honors including two Bronze Stars.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Terre Haute, Indiana. He worked for several local companies and in Indianapolis. Being a single man, his cousin Delores Morris Lovejoy, thought he needed a suitable companion. Playing cupid, she sat him up on a date with her friend, the lovely Patricia and off they all went in his pretty red Chevy convertible. Earl and Patricia were wed on March 20, 1954 in Terre Haute, Indiana. They were blessed with their family of four children, two boys, and two girls.

While residing in Terre Haute, Earl attended evangelistic meetings at the Seventh day Adventist church. He was baptized by Pastor Ward. Earl wanted to provide a Christian life for his family away from the city. He moved his family from their remodeled, modern home on Dean Ave. He and Pat purchased a small farm complete with barn, old two story farmhouse, pump for water and outhouse for the "necessary." To some in the family it was a lark, others not so much. They planted fruit trees, a large garden and sugarcane. The "farm" included a flock of sheep that seemed to always birth lambs in the dead of winter, a cow and banty chickens. In 1966 cousins Dale and Delores Lovejoy encouraged the family to relocate to Collegedale, Tennessee where Earl could secure a position with McKee Bakery who was expanding their Debbie Cake line.

A semi with a large picture of "Little Debbie" moved the family to Collegedale. Patricia began working for Southern Missionary College and was also the 1st official crossing guard with the Collegedale Police Dept. Earl was involved in the building of plant # 2 at McKee Bakery. When the plant was ready he was given a choice of where he wanted to work. Earl chose "Line 2; the Nutty Bar line. He helped set-up that line and kept it running as a mechanic for 24 years. Working beside him were friends Ed Bell and Dave Mott. When Earl retired in 1990, the mechanically operated nutty bar line was also retired to become computerized. During his tenure at McKee Bakery, Earl and Pat purchased 10 acres of rough & rocky land behind Collegedale. Earl cleared the land literally crushing boulders and rocks with his sledge hammer, digging-out a foundation. With his own hands he designed a blue print according to Pat's wishes and built the house. Although they would move into the house in 1979 he continued his hard work always striving to improve and maintain the property.

Following retirement, Earl and Patricia enjoyed trips to visit family and their children in Indiana and Florida. More than anything, Earl loved the quiet life of being at home on the 10 acres working at some project be it large or small until his death.

Earl Johnson was a member of the Collegedale Seventh day Adventist church from 1966 until his death. When he could no longer attend church, he enjoyed watching Sabbath Services on 3 Angels Broadcasting (3ABN). He in-fact had done just that and had his breakfast on Sabbath, April 22 before he became ill and passed away. more than anything loved his God and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Glenn Johnson, and grandson, Loren Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat Johnson, Son's, Dr. Lester Johnson, wife Cindy. William E. Johnson III, (Bill), wife Danielle, Daughter's, Donna (Dee) Shelton, husband Jerry, Elizabeth Glick, (Beth), husband Ryan. Grandchildren, Patricia (George) Dacosta, Sean (Jennifer) Shelton, Leslie Johnson (Scott) Broschay, Daniel and Cameron Johnson, Austin and Sydni Glick, Great Grandchildren, Jerry (Dana) Janesko, Kari Janesko, Johnathan Steele and Skyler Shelton.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 27 at 1 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Fred Fuller officiating. Burial will follow at Collegedale Memorial Park with military honors.

Please visit www.heritagechattanoog.com to share words of comfort and view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 27 from 12-1 PM at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd. 

 Service Information