William Johnson Iii

Rockport, Texas

William Nelse “Billy Boy” Johnson, III of Rockport, TX surrounded by his loving family went home to be with the Lord on March 19, 2019. He was born February 5, 1943 in Brownsville, TX to his parents, William Nelse Johnson, Jr. and Madalyn Court Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Billy graduated from Aransas County High School in 1961 where he played basketball, football, and track. His social personality and love to ham it up led him to join the Curtain Club and Thespian Society where he starred in a variety shows and plays.  He was also chosen for Wittiest and Best Personality. After school, Billy worked as a roughneck early on, and then owned and operated Johnson Pumping Company. He continued his career in the oil and gas industry with BNJ Onshore Offshore Drilling and as project manager for various companies, but he grew restless and knew that his talents were needed in other endeavors. Too far ahead of his time, Billy built, owned, and operated Cover Harbor Grill and Marina which is now Paradise Key. Billy was also managing partner in Log Hunters where he extracted 200-year-old Long Leaf Pine and Cyprus Logs from the Pearl River in Louisiana. While some of the mightiest men of the colonial frontier had failed to bring their felled trees to market, Billy raised them from their riverbed graveyard to ensure that the American dream would live on.

In his free time, Billy enjoyed golfing and he was an avid sportsman. Many hunters and anglers today credit Billy with their first catch or harvest. Billy also broke many a man and casino with his gaming skills and he was always up for a card game. However, he also took pleasure in the fellowship of Bible study that helped him understand God and brought him great peace and enlightenment. Billy’s children and grandchildren were fortunate that he loved sharing his skills and knowledge with them even if it he did set impossible standards.

Many thought that Billy would never get past the loss of his hot dog loving “miniature” schnauzer Sugar, but a small Chiweenie named Willie proved everyone wrong. Willie was Billy’s partner in crime, and he kept constant watch by his side until the very end.

Billy held cancer at bay for over a decade. He was patient, tolerant, and fought like a warrior living his life exactly how he wanted it. Billy had a big heart and was a best friend to many. He always wanted to help even when he couldn’t. He was sensitive, caring, generous, and funnier than anyone else you will ever know. Hopefully, you were lucky enough to share memories and life experiences with this man. His legacy is preserved, his stories will be told, and he left us better than he found us. He left a loved man.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Denise Sasser (Mark), Shawn Johnson (Ginna) and their mother, Sandy Johnson Walker, JT Barton (Lisa), Tyler Barton (Allison) and their mother, Jena Jones; siblings, Courtney Uehlinger (Arthur), and Roy “Moose” Johnson (Rose); grandchildren, Stephen Bechtol (Anna), Alexus Johnson, William Johnson, Harper Barton, Everly Barton, Sidney Barton, and Natalie Barton; great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Gomez; nephews, Derrick Johnson (Kelli) and their children, Christian and Bailey, Shane Johnson (Krissy), A.J. Uehlinger III (Lara) and their son, Torben; niece, Heather Ruschhaupt (Derek) and their children, Truett and Allie.

The family would like to especially thank the caregivers at Harbor Hospice for their extraordinary and compassionate care. Their loving care during Billy’s final moments gave us strength and comfort and for that we are eternally grateful.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p. m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home located on 814 E. Main Street in Rockport, Texas.