Johnnie Lee Williams

Johnnie Lee Williams, was born in Kings County Hospital, in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, August 20, 1949, to Mr. Andrew James Williams and Mrs. Annie Bell Williams. He was called home to rest on Sunday, July 5, 2020. Johnnie was the eldest of eight children, and so he was thrust into being responsible for the lives of others at a very early age. In fact, he had a little more than 500 days of just being a child before he began his walk down the path of life as a big brother. Johnnie attended PS 113, where his intelligence was recognized in the 3rd grade and his educators skipped him into the 5th grade. He continued his public-school education, attending a then innovative middle school, before going on to attend East New York Vocational where he majored in Aviation Design & Engineering. He was always extraordinary at building and making things in shop classes. After high school, Johnnie joined Job Corps to master carpentry and construction, before being drafted and joining the US Marines. As a child growing up in Brooklyn, Johnnie was very much into sports, including track and field, particularly the low hurdles, as well as stickball and football. He also enjoyed being a member of both the Drum & Bugle Corp and the Boy Scouts. Throughout his youth, he had a secret passion for drawing and art, which led to his keen interest in photography. But everyone who knew Johnnie, or Paco as he is affectionately called by some, knows that his first love was music. Anyone, who ever had more than a brief conversation with him would soon be enthralled in a conversation about Motown artists, Stax records, the Philly sound, and undoubtedly, his two favorite artists, Phyllis Hyman and Smokey Robinson! His love for music and photography continued to be a mainstay in his life until the end, so it’s not surprising that he went to work for CBS as a young man and built a corporate career there commuting from New Jersey, and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, before relocating to Charleston, South Carolina, to live. Johnnie loved to serve God, and, in his youth, he led his younger siblings to God and church, being responsible for how they behaved during services. After moving to Charleston, he continued his relationship with God as a member of Truth and Fellowship Global Ministry, in North Charleston, South Carolina, under the tutelage of Senior Pastor, Dr. Johnathan Briggs. Johnnie was preceded in death by his father and mother and three brothers, James, Alphonso, & Ernest. Johnnie leaves to mourn his passing, his son, Johnny “JJ” Defairia, of Indianapolis, IN; daughter, Danielle Fetherson, of Moncks Corner, SC; two brothers, Arthur James Williams, of Topsail, NC and Joseph Williams of Staten Island, NY; three sisters, Annie M. Williams of Allentown, PA, Philomena Moore of Dover, DE and Josie C. Williams of Brooklyn, NY; two aunts, Esther Bostic of Brooklyn, NY and Bertia Nixon of Burgaw, NC; sister-in-law, Linda Valentine-Williams of Staten Island, NY; brother-in-law, Errol Moore of Dover, DE; son-in-law, Omar Fetherson of Moncks Corner, SC; five grandchildren, Ja’senta, Jaron, Tywan, Renée and Patrick; one great-grandchild, Josiah; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Johnnie Lee Williams was a father and grandfather, husband, brother, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, advisor and much more to many people. He was loved dearly and will be missed tremendously!

Johnnie Lee Williams

August 20, 1949 - July 5, 2020