William Johnson

CAIRO, Ill. -- William "Will" Johnson, 100, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, at Daystar Care Center in Cairo.

He was born Sept. 19, 1902, in the community of Augusta, Ark., the son of Shedric "Shed" and Elvie Henderson Johnson.

He had been employed as a laborer for the former Cairo River and Rail Company.

He is survived by a brother, Obie Johnson of Chicago, Ill.; a son, Melvin Johnson of Cairo; a daughter, Eartha Lewis of Cairo; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both of his wives, Harriet and Artria Johnson. He also was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, two sons, two daughters and two grandsons.

Visitation will be from noon until 1 p.m. Saturday at the Shiloh Full-Gospel Baptist Church in Future City, Ill. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Fred Johnson Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Spencer Heights Memorial Park Cemetery in Mounds, Ill.

Arrangements are under the direction of Algee's Funeral Home in Carbondale, Ill.