Willis Jerome (Jiggie) Johnson, Sr. was the ninth child born to the union of the late Wilbert and Georgia Catney Johnson of Fort Pierce, FL on January 6, 1956. Willis was a graduate of the St. Lucie County School District of which he graduated from Fort Pierce Central High in 1974. Willis matriculated through Indian River Community College and Florida A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. After graduation, he became employed by St. Lucie County School District. There he taught Physical Education at Frances K. Sweet Magnet School. He was a track coach, Freshman and JV football coach at Westwood High School, head baseball coach at Lincoln Park Academy. Willis’ passion for sports and people provided him the opportunity to lend his talents in assisting his brother as an assistant baseball coach and also working with his niece in coaching softball at Westwood High School. This was something that he loved, as it included both family and sports. His professional career concluded with retirement of 36 years of service at Frances K. Sweet Elementary Magnet School in 2015. However, his greatest accomplishment at Frances K. Sweet was the introduction of his help meet and union in marriage to Carolyn A. Wimes Johnson in 1983.
Willis was a gregarious and consummate professional. He took his responsibilities as a coach and teacher with great genuineness. He was an effective communicator with a vast knowledge of sports and politics. Students and his many acquaintances will cherish the fond memories of “Coach” as he imparted knowledge to his students. The number of students impacted by Coach Johnson is too numerous to mention individually. His community service spans the gamut from volunteering to coaching baseball with his brother to coaching a Double Dutch team at Frances K. Sweet. His spirit and warm heart will be missed and the Fort Pierce community will surely feel the void by Willis’ untimely departure. More so, Willis was the patron of his family as a loving and doting father and husband.
Surviving his transition are his loving spouse of 36 years, Carolyn A. Wimes Johnson; sons, Willis Johnson, Jr. (Terri) of Fort Pierce, Florida and Michael Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida; daughters, Regina Sampson(Steven), Amy Harriel(Justin), Khadijah Johnson all of Atlanta, Georgia and Tiwanna Lightbrown of Durham, North Carolina; brothers, Charles Johnson(Gloria), Harold Johnson; sisters, Janice McGriff, Jeanette Johnson, and Constance Slater(Anthony); sisters-in-law, Effie Johnson, Rita Johnson, and Christine Taylor-Johnson. He was an affectionate grandfather for his grandchildren, Torin, Tarique, Jasmine, Destiny, Taronald, Lamar, Ashari, Jalen, Jayla, and Nia; godsister, Kellier Dixon; goddaughter, Wenisha Adams, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends who will miss him dearly.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Georgia Johnson; his brothers, Wilbert Johnson, Jr., Calvin Johnson, Jimmie Johnson, and sister, Betty Ann Johnson-Haynes.
Public visitation for Coach Willis Johnson, Sr. will take place on Friday, March 20, 2020 from 3:00pm-7:00pm at the River of Life Fellowship in Fort Pierce, FL. A Celebration of his life will convene on Saturday, March 21, 2020 also at the River of Life Fellowship at 1:00pm. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park in Fort Pierce, FL.
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