William R. Johnson (AUGUSTA, GA.)

The Augusta Chronicle-June 23, 2006

Friday, June 23, 2006
AUGUSTA, GA.- Mr. William Russell Johnson, Sr., 87, beloved husband of Louise Robinson Johnson, entered into rest on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 11:00 AM at The Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Ruffin, Dr. Al Cadenhead and Dr. Gordon Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park.

Mr. Johnson, a native of Montclair, New Jersey, was a professional baseball player. He joined the New York Yankees in 1943, and was named Rookie of the Year. He missed the next two seasons to serve in the United States Army during World War II, but after the war ended, he returned to baseball. He played in four World Series with the Yankees in 1943, 1947, 1949 and 1950.

He was selected to the All Star Team in 1947. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1951, and ended his baseball career two years later. He then went to work for theGraniteville Company as a shipping supervisor, and retired after almost 30 years of service.

He was a member of The Hill Baptist Church, and a member of the Sim Folk Men's Sunday School Class. In addition to his wife Louise, he is survived by a son, William Russell Johnson, Jr. and wife Janice; a daughter, Brenda Johnson Prince, and husband, Abbie, and a sister, Ann Johnson Frietag, of Waldwick, New Jersey.

His grandchildren include Paula Prince Hughes, and husband, Chip, Taylor Leigh Johnson, Marty Danielle Hutto, and Jason Kirk Hutto. Pallbearers will be Scott Rodgers, Dr. J. Ben Deal, Dr. Bo Sherwood, Billy Hester, Gary Frietag, Kenny Frietag, Dr. Kevin Westra, and Jack Coley.

If so desired, memorials may be made to The Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way, Augusta, Georgia, 30904, or to the Baptist Children's Home, 9420 Blackshear Highway, Baxley, Georgia, 31513.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening, June 23, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Platt's Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave. 733-3636