Billy Warren Johnson, age 86, of Bakersville, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Ernest Lee and Ella Anna Ellis Johnson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Johnson; sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Bob Stevens; a grandson, Jeremiah Johnson; seven brothers-in-law and their wives; 2 sisters-in-law and their husbands; and best friend, Pierce Junior Bradley.

In Billy’s younger years, he worked in the mines where he obtained quite a collection of rocks. Afterwards, he became a talented carpenter, having worked for numerous people. He loved building his own bird houses. He was quite an outdoorsman and his interests included gardening, horses and hunting with his beagles. Billy loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and cherished the time he got to spend with them all. His faith was very important to him, and he spent countless hours reading his Bible in its entirety several times. He was a charter member of Bear Creek Baptist Church and was a member of Mitchell Baptist Church. He had dreams numerous times about his eternal days in Heaven, and he has now ridden the clouds to Glory.

Surviving is his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Jean Hollifield Johnson; two sons: Donald Johnson (Kim) and Dennis Johnson (Renee), all of Bakersville; two daughters: Deborah Mathes of Bakersville and Darla Hensley (Jonathan) of Greeneville, TN; twelve grandchildren: Danielle Ledford (Jacob), Brandy Greene, Joseph Chapman (Tah), Nathaniel Johnson (Caitlyn), Johnathan Johnson (Ashley), Michael Hoilman (Melissa), Mindy Boyd (Dustin), Mikayla Boston (Grayson), Shelby Cooper, Jacob Cooper, Hunter Hensley and Jonathan Hensley, Jr.; twenty-two great-grandchildren; sister, Susan Conley (Ted) of Bakersville; brother, Daniel Johnson (Penny) of Bakersville; and sister-in-law, Gloria Johnson of Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 13th at Bear Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Chris Rathburn and Rev. Blake Glenn will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be private.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Compassionate Care WNC for the wonderful care given to Billy.