William "Boss" Johnson

To Everything There is a Season… William “Boss” Johnson, son of Sarah Jones, was born on June 11, 1934. His step-father, James Jones, was like a father to him, but he was raised by his beloved grandmother, Radie Johnson, in Milford, Delaware. Boss, as he was known by everyone who knew and loved him, was educated in schools of Milford, however, at the time he was ready to go to high school there were only 3 high schools for Black student in the entire state of Delaware. Boss graduated in 1954 from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware. Boss was proud of his Jason High heritage, where he excelled in playing football and basketball. After graduation, Boss enlisted and proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he also excelled in sports playing football and running track in the military. After completing his tour of active duty service, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving until 1962. In 1957, Boss married the love of his life, Teresa Marie Brady and they built a life and a beautiful family, together. They became the proud parents of Sonya, Terri, Katrina, William Bruce and Wayne Brian Johnson. Boss loved his family and worked hard to make a good life for them. For over 34 years, he worked as a Textile Technician at Steiner Company. After the company closed, he went on to discover his artistic gifts and “entrepreneurial” expertise, which resulted in his handmade custom jewelry and woodcrafts, which were soon in high demand. They are worn by people all over Delaware and beyond. Boss continued to play sports well into his 50’s with various teams, including the Silicato Flag Football team, baseball and softball with a Milford-Sussex team and with the local Puerto Rico league. Boss loved his hometown of Milford and was a collector of Milford memorabilia, especially artifacts of the Milford Negro League Baseball team, the Milford Yanks. Boss was also a member of the Milford Museum. They recorded a documentary of him discussing his memories of the Old Milford Shipyard. The documentary can still be seen today. Boss was probably best known for keeping order and making EVERYONE pay (even his own children) at Moonlight Grill where he worked for over 30 years, and at the Gun & Rod Club. In fact, Mr. Penn Fountain, who owned the Grill nicknamed William “Boss”, because he truly kept order and was the boss at the Soda Fountain Bar and Grill. Everyone who truly knew Boss knew that he was an avid fisherman. It didn’t matter to him whether it was salt water or fresh water fishing – he loved to fish and had competed in bass fishing competitions. Along with his love of fishing, was his adoration of music – all types of music! Anytime he had free time, and especially after he retired and began working for himself, you could find Boss in his basement or out under a tree listening to his extensive music collection while smoking his “signature” cigar. If he invited into his basement to listen to music with him you were officially “okay” - not everyone got the privilege of the basement experience. Whenever you looked for Boss, you could find him with his friends, playing a very “lively” game of cards, listening to the sounds of Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock & Roll, Gospel and you might even hear some Opera or Country/Western music coming out of the basement with a lot of yelling about the card game going on! Boss was predeceased by his parents; his grandmother Radie; his beloved daughter, Sonya F. Johnson-Sudler; his infant son, William Bruce; a newborn son, Baby Boy Johnson; brothers, Arnold, Jimmy and Leroy Jones; and his sister, Rosie Heartgrove. Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 62 years, Teresa “Treesie” Johnson; two daughters, Terri Franklin and Katrina Wilson (Darrell); son, Wayne Brian Johnson; and son-in-law, Marion “Butch” Sudler all of Milford; eight grandchildren: Raydia Wildy (Brian), Bruce, Corey and Darron Johnson, Devon Franklin and Myryah Sorden all of Milford, Marcus Smith of Dallas, TX; Laila Johnson of California; an adopted son, Bishop Thomas E. Douglas of West Palm Beach, FL; siblings: Marcella Meade, Doris Williams, Dolores Cropter, Irene Caine (Darnell), Luther Jones, Garfield Jones (Myrtle); brother-in-law, Norman Brady, Jr. (Ellen); and sisters-in-law, Betty Henry (Charles) and Eleanor Hamm (Curtis) and sister-in-law, Ruby Jones. Also left to honor his memory are 10 great-grandchildren, Zymere Cruz, Ry’ana Johnson, Rayna Johnson, Lo’ve Johnson, Neveah Johnson, Caliah Johnson, Jordan Johnson, Raelyn Wildy, Amayah Robinson and Ava Sumlin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted children and grandchildren, loving friends and a community who truly loved him back. Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, May I thy consolation share? Til from Mt. Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight! This robe of flesh, I’ll drop and rise, And seize the everlasting prize! And SHOUT, while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer. Lovingly submitted by The Family

William "Boss" Johnson

June 11, 1934 - August 3, 2019