Billy Ray Johnson, husband of Jeanette Huitt Johnson and father of William Craig Johnson (Fabio), passed away peacefully in his Taylorsville, N.C., home on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Born to the late Glenn and Annie Stine Johnson on July 2, 1935, he was introduced to farm life at an early age. He was a man that never found a task too difficult. After graduating from Taylorsville High School and upon reaching the age of 18, Bill began working with Southern Bell Telephone Company, now Nokia, and retired after a 37-year career. Upon retirement, he established Bill Johnson Telephone Services.

Bill was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church and his dedication to the church led him to be on various committees, among these were church council, treasurer of the church, sanctuary renovation committee, usher, property committee, RUOK group, and a kitchen helper when providing funeral meals. He also belonged to the telephone pioneer organization and to the CWA group.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Denise Johnson; his brothers, Harold and Wayne; and his sisters, Hilda and Phyllis.

In addition to his wife and his son, those left to cherish and honor Bill’s memory include his siblings, Brenda Jones (Rick), Linda Smith, and Larry Johnson (Peggy); his sisters-in-law, Sylvia Feimster (Willie), and Becky Gaines (Tony); and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Reformation Lutheran Church with the funeral service to follow at 4 p.m. Pastor Miriam Schmidle and Pastor James A. Dahl will officiate. Burial will follow in the Taylorsville City Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Reformation Lutheran Church, 443 West Main Avenue, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be serving the family of Billy Ray Johnson.