The family of William L. Johnson of Louisville, MS announces his passing, and invites all who knew him to remember him here.
These few paragraphs cannot hold a life, but they may carry a memory.
William held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Faith gave William a place to stand, and a place to return to.
William Johnson, 79, passed away on May 5, 2026, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, Mississippi, and went home to be with the Lord. Born on September 21, 1946, William was raised in Noxapater, Mississippi, the son of Willard Alexander Johnson and Kathleen Lofton Kemp. He grew up with his brother, Johnny Johnson, enjoying a childhood filled with fishing and hunting alongside Noxapater Creek. As a young man, William was baptized at Noxapater Baptist Church. William treasured his years at Noxapater High School, where he formed lifelong friendships. A proud Noxapater Tiger, he often reminisced about his accomplishments in football and basketball, and he kept his letterman’s jacket as a cherished reminder of those days.He attended Mississippi State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Entomology, a Master’s degree in Entomology and Wildlife Management, and completing PhD coursework in Entomology and Botany. William began his career conducting research aimed at eradicating boll weevils from cotton crops. He was an entrepreneur at heart; founding his own agriculture and crop consulting business in Mississippi and South Georgia, and eventually launching a pine straw supply business serving Mississippi and Alabama.William never met a stranger. He loved conversation and found joy in connecting with people from all walks of life. His favorite stories often revolved around quail hunting with his beloved bird dogs, his garden, and adventures from his early days of dating Patti, his wife of 53 years. William was a member at First Baptist Church, Louisville.He is survived by his wife, Patti Todd Johnson and his children: Michael (Sheila) Johnson, Emily (Guy) McClain, Julie Johnson, and Todd (Landrey) Johnson. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Lane Johnson, Maggie Johnson, Madison (Hunter) Aycock, Meredith McClain, Hutch McClain, Kathleen Bess McClain, Tripp Johnson, Noble Johnson, and Anne Spencer Johnson; and one great-grandchild, Fletcher Aycock. He is also survived by his younger brother Johnny (Cheryl) Johnson, his nephews Chris Johnson and Brad (Jessica) Johnson.William was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved mother-in-law, Annie Bess Todd.A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8, at Old Mars Hill Cemetery, 3100 Mars Hill Road, Philadelphia, Mississippi. The service will be officiated by Dr. Jimmy Porter and Rev. Tim Smith.The family is thankful for a merciful God who loves His children all of their days and finds peace in the assurance that William is now in His presence.
