Grayson County TXGenWeb

WHITESBORO - Billy Joe Johnson, 89, entered into eternal life Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Clyde Cosper State Veterans Home in Bonham. He married the love of his life, Rosalie Davidson, November 17, 1943 in Astoria, Oregon, celebrating 69 years together November 17, 2012.
Mr. Johnson was born May 13, 1923 in Tonkawa, Oklahoms, the first child and son of Emmit Etta and Margaret (Knight) Johnson. Billy Joe proudly served his country 1941-1949, during World War II in the Navy on the U.S.S. Enterprise CV-6, the most decorated battleship of that war exceeding any warship in history (and will probably never be equaled). He was commemorated for his participation in TASKFORCE 16 on April 18, 1942. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1949 he then joined the Air Force, finally retiring in 1962 as Senior Master Sergeant FC in the Strategic Air Command, totaling 21 years of U.S. military service. Following military retirement he sold insurance for a brief time, owned a Chevron Gas Station in Abilene for a year, drove a truck for North American Van Lines for a year, then took a job at Texas Instruments in Richardson, serving as a mechanical engineer for 20 years.
Billy Joe Johnson is survived by his family, wife of 69 years, Rosalie Johnson of Sherman, Texas (formerly of Gainesville, Texas where they met in high school); daughters, Paula Johnson; Pamela Alexander and husband, Jimmy; and Patricia Eagle and husband, Bill; grandsons, Jason Alexander, and Nathan Alexander, Texas; granddaughters, Samantha McKenney and Jennifer Wright; and sister, Bobbie Teague.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Emmit and Margaret Johnson, three sisters and one brother.
Mr. Johnson was cremated according to his wishes. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the Activity Center of Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham with Jimmy Alexander officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in his name to the National World War II Museum, P. O. Box 97336, Washington, DC 20090-7336.