Willie Johnson, III was born in Davidson County to Sara Estella Hogan Wise and Willie Johnson, Jr. on October 2, 1958. Willie passed away on July 1, 2026 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

He was a former member of New Zion Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Franklin S. Hogan and David Terrell and a sister, Carolyn Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his two children, Marcus A. McMillon and Christy T. Stiller; 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leon (Mary) Hogan and Roy Rector; a sister, Katherine (George Wallace) Johnson; his companion, Patricia Smith and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.