Willie B Johnson

Mother Willie B. Johnson, age 89, of Madison, WI, passed away after a short battle with cancer surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, October 12, 2025. She was born to the union of Willie Albert Richard and Annie Bell Alexander (Wilson) in Altheimer, a town near Pine Bluff, Arkansas on August 17th, 1936. She was the second oldest of three, including her older brother Jeff and youngest brother George. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Camden, Arkansas in 1953 and became a mother on Dec. 7th 1956. She moved north to Madison, Wisconsin to join her great-grandmother, Mattie Lee Hodges, her grandmother, Mrs. Charlie (Annie) Allen and her aunts--Irene Williams, Bertha Parrish, Gertrude Dixon and uncles Clevland and Butch. She was later united in holy matrimony at Mt. Zion Baptist Church to Julius Johnson on April 6th, 1963 (53 years at his passing in 2016). Aside from her much beloved family, friends and church, she had fond memories of her high school basketball, track, and softball years, racing sports cars with her husband, singing in various gospel choirs and groups, competitive bowling, enjoying traveling, the color light blue, sweet potatoes, southern-fried catfish and homemade pound cake.

"Love and Kindness." - Mother Willie B. Johnson

To enjoy life has always been Mother Willie B. Johnson's mission; her testament is in the many lives that consistently say that she was a second sister, friend, mother, or caretaker to so many through the decades. Mother Johnson stayed busy, from bowling, to the choir, to volunteering, and her decades long service to many organizations. She was not one to stay idol. She held various careers in her lifetime, often highlighting her time at the IRS, working in the family business of J & B Salvage Company and B J Tires (Est. 1982) with her husband, Deacon Johnson. She was also a receptionist for Meriter Hospital for 30 years. However, her most favorite role was being able to assist in the classroom as a student aid and counselor. She remarked that students would still be excited to see her many years after her time at the school ended.

She was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for just under 70 years. She served on many ministries to include, Rose of Sharon/Women's Ministry, Mt.Zion Food Pantry, Mothers' Board, Sunday School Class #2, Music Ministry--Senior Choir, Women's Chorus, Chancel Choir, Inspirational Choir, Mother's Ensemble, Gospel Choir, Gospel Carols, Christmas with the Symphony, Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), Homeless Meal Ministry, Mission Ministry, and Office Volunteer. Of special note, in her youth she was part of a gospel singing group called the Whispering Voices of Faith along with her husband and other members travelling and performing. She also gave the best of her service to the Fraternal Organizations of The Order of the Eastern Star, Order of Golden Circle and Imperial Daughters for over 55 years. She was elevated to Honorary Past Grand Matron of Unity Grand Chapter of the Easter Star of Wisconsin, Prince Hall Affiliation.


Mother Johnson leaves behind her sibling George (Rebecca) Alexander of Texas, her daughter Willene Sprinkle of Florida, her grandchildren Vito Marlon Danieli, Nkechi Paytonia (Stephen)Iheme-Radomsky, Dean Williams, Israella Mallori Sprinkle, Terrence Williams, and Orion (Bevan) Sprinkle-Fields, her great grandchildren, Ka'tia and Olivia Sprinkle, Nathanael and Isaiah Radomsky, Elijah Williams, Amelia Williams, her in-laws, Cora Warner of Louisiana, Kathryn Bowen and Vira Dockery of Madison, James (Agnes) Johnson of Kansas, and a host of other relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Deacon Julius Johnson, her parents, and her brother Jeff.

In lieu of flowers/gifts and to continue her legacy and aspirations for others; please visit the memorial scholarship fund in her honor for her homegoing and students pursuing higher education can be found below:

https://givebutter.com/WillieBScholar

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Service:
Visitation
Saturday, November 8, 2025
10:00AM - 11:00AM

Eastern Star Service
11:00AM - 12:00PM

Funeral Service
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Mt Zion Baptist Church
2019 Fisher St
Madison, WI 53713

Services will be live-streamed at the following.

YouTube channel is MTZ Life: https://www.youtube.com/@MTZLife

Facebook Mt. Zion Baptist Church: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064802377942