Willie D. Johnson, Jr.

Willie D. Johnson, Jr., 62, resident of Sikeston, Missouri died Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Missouri Delta Medical Center.  He was born February 28, 1960 in Indianola, Mississippi to Willie D. Johnson, Sr. of Memphis, Tennessee and Rosetta Short Pratcher of New Madrid, Missouri.

He attended elementary school in Marston and junior high in Howardville.  Willie entered the Missouri National Guard his junior year of high school and graduated in May, of 1978 from Lilbourn High School.  He joined the United States Military, Army, and started his new life as a career soldier on February 8th, 1980, and doing a total service to his country, of 23 years (including the National Guard and retired as a Staff Sergeant E8, of which there are two types. One is a Master Sergeant who works with intelligence and the other is First Sergeant who work with Soldiers. Willie was both and commanded a troop of 4000 soldiers. He was the second highest in the enlisted side, with the highest being Sergeant Major. He retired on May 31st, 2000.

Willie joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lilbourn, MO, and along with 7 other members was crowned a Deacon, on October 14th, 2001.  Willie received his gospel teaching from Pastor Floyd Wade, Charleston, MO., and became Elder Willie Johnson, Jr.  He was    employed at Unilever ice cream plant, in Sikeston, MO, on November 16th, 2005, and enrolled in an online course at the private college of Ashworth College, Norcross, Georgia in 2006 and received his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. He retired from Unilever, on July 26, 2016.

He received his Chaplain Certificate in 2019 from the School of Prophets in collaboration with the International College of Bible Theology under Prophet Ronnie Webb, Poplar Bluff, MO, from 2010 through 2012 and his bachelor’s degree of Ministry in 2020.

Willie was preceded in death by his brothers, Oliver Brownlow, Melvin  Johnson, and his  stepfather, Aaron Pratcher.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his mother, Rosetta Johnson Pratcher of Howardville, MO, his father, Willie Johnson, Sr. of Memphis, TN, two sons, Bradley Johnson of Houston, TX, and Daguan Criglar in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Virginia, three daughters, Jada Criglar of St. Louis, MO, Reva Marie Johnson of Sikeston, MO, and Lisa Ann Bills of Sikeston, MO,  four sisters, Cynthia (Arthur) Davis of Indianola, MS, Ella Pratcher of Hampton, VA, Donna Malone of Memphis, TN, and Shelly Johnson of Memphis, TN,  seven brothers,  Elder Hubert (Betty) Pratcher of New Madrid, MO, Harvey Pratcher of Howardville, MO, Michael (Judy) Pratcher of Belton, TX, Jackie (Shayla) Pratcher of Atlanta, GA, Jamie (Sandy) Pratcher of Kennesaw, GA, Marcus Pratcher of Howardville, MO, and Jimmy Pratcher of Washington,  D.C., two aunts, Mozetta Nutall of Indianola, MS and Jeanette Young of Broken Arrow, OK, three grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives, classmates, and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Life Changers Restoration Ministries with Reverend Floyd Wade officiating.  Interment will immediately follow in Simmons Park Cemetery in Catron, Missouri with full military honors.  The Williams Funeral Homes of Howardville in charge of arrangements.