Johnson Sr., Melvin "Billy" Melvin "Billy Johnson Sr. was born August 30, 1934, in Rusk County, Texas, to K.C. Johnson and Gracie Robinson Johnson, who preceded him in death. Mr. Johnson attended the Longview public schools. He grew up in the Rollins Addition Community and united with the Red Oak Baptist Church at a young age. Billy met and married his childhood sweetheart, Rosie Mae "Bonnie" Harndon Johnson on March 1, 1952. He was a devoted husband and father. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a retiree of Texas Eastman Chemical Co., where he was employed for 20 years. Sunset for Mr. Johnson was December 21, 2006. He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife of 53 years, Rosie Mae Johnson; daughter, Rozie Johnson of Longview, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Melvin Johnson Jr. and Trish Johnson of DeSoto, Texas; sister and brother-in-law, Bobbie and Henry Garrison of Longview, Texas; sister, Bobbie Jewel Johnson of Longview; grandchildren, Davia Garrett and husband, Roderick Garrett of Kilgore, Texas, Euriel Dudley Johnson of Lewisville, Texas, and Melvin "Tree" Johnson III and Macie Johnson of DeSoto, Texas; two great-grandsons, Daevon and Daedrion Garrett; two nieces, Karron Garrison of Houston, Texas, and LaTonya McCoy and husband, Stacey McCoy of Flint, Texas; four great-nieces and one great-nephew, Ni'Rada and Ni'Teria Clay of Houston, Texas, and Jacee and Kaycee McCoy of Flint, Texas; and a host of relatives and friends. A celebration of life for Mr. Johnson will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2006, at the Red Oak Baptist Church, with the Rev. H.C. Rockmore. Interment will be in the Perry Clay Chapel Cemetery. Published in the Longview News-Journal on 12/22/2006.