Willie Johnson

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Willie "Shortie" Johnson, 54, of Des Moines, Iowa, died Thursday, April 24, 2003.

He was born Feb. 28, 1949, in Charleston, son of Cam Willie and Mable Lee Johnson.

Johnson served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Survivors include three daughters, Dorothy Kee of Columbia, Mo., Rashawn Lovejoy and Lisa Lee of Des Moines; five sons, William Johnson of Columbia, Ronald Moore, Willie Dawson, James Gonzales and Tanzell Johnson, all of Des Moines; two stepsons, Shawn Moore and James Dawson of Des Moines; two brothers, Floyd Johnson of Newton, Iowa, Joseph Johnson of Columbia; three sisters, Virginia Johnson of Cairo, Ill., Teola Wright and Martha Dobbins of Columbia; and numerous grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call at Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bowden Civic Center, with Steve Betts officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, with graveside rites by Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard.