John William "Will" Johnson

Asheville - John William Will Johnson, 88, of Olivette Road passed away Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Madison Manor Nursing Home. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County. Mr. Johnson retired in 1979 as a Building Inspector for Buncombe County and formerly was employed as a Deputy Sheriff for Harry P. Clay. He was a WW II veteran having served in the U.S. Navy. He was the son of the late Jimmy Joe and Bertha Shook Johnson and the husband of Julia Mae Rhymer Johnson who died November 7, 1990. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Philip Scorsone; granddaughter, Debra Renee Fox; son in law, Eldridge Fox; sisters, Marie Blankenship, Mary Pounders, Margaret Johnson and Evelyn Johnson. Surviving are his son, Walter Johnson and friend, Betty Mabry of Asheville; daughters, Juanita Fox of Candler and Linda Scorsone and husband, Joe of Asheville; brother, Royce Johnson and wife, Mary of Asheville; special brother in law, Max Lassister and wife, Jeanette of Asheville; grandchildren, Audrey, Andy, Greg, Tim, Terri and Chris and great grandchildren, Kristen, Hannah, Brittany, Byron, Courtney, Jon and Maggie. Graveside services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jackie Collins and Rev. Frank Hopkins officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 P.M. Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.