Dr. William Cecil Johnson, Jr.

Funeral services for Dr. William Cecil Johnson, Jr. will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, November 15, 2024, at First Baptist Church-Meridian with Dr. Raymon Leake officiating. Interment will follow Military Honors and graveside rites at 1:00 PM at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Dr. William Cecil Johnson, 87, of Meridian, completed his life’s earthly journey on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at his home with his wife by his side.

He was born in Mobile, AL to the late Ethel Deas and William Cecil Johnson, Sr. He graduated from Jackson Alabama high school with multiple scholastic honors where he played tenor saxophone and later became drum major of the band. He attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Million Dollar Band and developed a love for Alabama football. He was very active in the Baptist Student Union and served as the State BSU choir director. He was inducted to Phi Beta Kappa and completed college in three years. He attended Tulane University School of Medicine and was a member of a medical fraternity. Continuing his love of music, he sang in the choir at First Baptist in New Orleans. It was there that he met his wife, Carolyn, and they were married on September 2, 1961, in Jackson, MS. After graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine, he served an internship at San Diego Naval Hospital. After a brief duty at the Naval Air station in Meridian, they moved to Portsmouth, VA to complete a Surgery residency at the Naval Hospital. After serving for a year in Vietnam on a hospital ship, the USS Sanctuary, the family moved to Charleston, SC. The final move was to Meridian, MS in 1970 where he began his private practice. He has been a member of First Baptist Church, Meridian, MS since 1970.

During his military years, he was awarded the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Metal with Device, and the Vietnam Service Metal (Bronze Star). He retired as a Navy Captain after many years of active and reserve service. He was a board-certified General Surgeon, member of American Medical Association, National Board of Surgery, Flying Physicians Association, and Vintage Wheels Car Club. He served as Chief of Surgery, as well as Chief of Staff at Anderson Hospital.

Due to health issues, he retired at age 68. During his retirement, he was involved with and was on the board of the Meridian Symphony Association. He spent many years continuing to operate a cattle farm, landscaping the yard, flying, and spending special time at the beach with his family. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren.

Dr. Johnson is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carolyn Johnson; children, Dr. William C. “Bill” Johnson, III, Connie Johnson Wegener (Eric), Deas Johnson Schisler, and Carol Johnson Moseley (Lee); grandchildren, Marguerite Johnson, William Johnson, Olivia Johnson, and Benjamin Johnson; Dr. Katie Wegener Brown (Turner), Eric Wegener, Jr., and Cecil Wegener; Ashley Anne Schisler Hudson (Trey), and Mark Schisler, Jr.; Cecelia Moseley, Caroline Moseley, and Leland Moseley; great-grandson, James Turner Brown, Jr.; His sister, Margaret Johnson Bowman; and nieces, Joanne Till and CeCe Coppins.

Dr. Johnson is preceded in death by his parents, Ethel Deas and William Cecil Johnson, Sr., as well as his sister-in-law Merl Hittson.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons William Johnson, Eric Wegener, Jr., Cecil Wegener, Mark Schisler, Jr., Leland Moseley, and Benjamin Johnson.

A special thank you to Mattie McClelland and Sammy Creer for their love and care.

The Johnson Family suggests memorials be made as donations to First Baptist Church Meridian, MS or to St Jude Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Johnson Family will receive guests from 9:30 AM -10:45 AM prior to funeral rites in the church.

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