Willie Curtis Johnson departed this life to be with the Lord on January 6, 2023 at the age of 76. Willie who was affectionately called "Boog or Boogie" was born in Senatobia, Mississippi August 21, 1946 to Isaac and Willie Edna (Webb) Johnson. To this union five other children were born Allie Vera, John L, Ira Lee, Ella Ree, and Julie. Willie was the youngest. His mother later remarried S T Whiting who raised him as his own. Willie often spoke of his grandparents Billy and Sarah Webb who were sharecroppers. He talked about life on the farm and the cherished relationships with his family. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. He was a member of the Cherry Street Baptist Church in Como, Mississippi. He attended North Panola High School and served as class president.

As a young high school student in Mississippi, he was a major player in the civil rights movement working with a coalition of volunteers in the summer of 1964 to expand black voter registration. He was a member of the Como Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and helped to organize the North Panola Junior Voters League. He has returned home many times as class president to speak at class reunions and other conferences.

In 1966 after graduation, Willie relocated to Kansas City, married Betty Jean Askew and started his family.

Willie was an ambitious young man. He enjoyed a long career with R. H. Macy's starting out as a Marketing Supervisor for Macy's Midwest Division and worked his way up to Operations Manager. Willie managed more than 100 employees on a seasonal basis and touched many lives. He was an entrepreneur and owned several businesses in the Kansas City area as either a sole proprietor or jointly with his siblings. He believed in higher education and completed course work at Draughon Business College and Longview Community College.

Willie enjoyed people and serving his community. He loved playing golf, spending time with family, socializing with people, and watching sports.

Willie was very proud of his family. He loved his wife Betty of 56 years, children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He often bragged about his grandkids to his friends and co-workers. He also adored his baby girl Tiffany. In 2013 he posted to Facebook, "For everyone who has sickness in their families today, trust God! For forty years ago the doctors told me, and Betty that Tiffany wasn't going to make it. But look at God and what He can do! When the doctors said no, He let us know who was in charge. Thank You Jesus".

Willie was a long-time member of the 35th Street Missionary Baptist Church, under Pastor R.C. Black. He was an ordained Deacon and served in various capacities in the local church. He later joined Concord Fortress of Hope Church where he remained a member under Pastor Ronald Lindsay until his death.

Willie is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, five siblings, three nieces, and two nephews. To cherish his loving memory, he leaves to mourn his wife Betty Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri, son Jeffery (Margot) Curtis Johnson of Providence Rhode Island, two daughters Beverley (Lawrence) Anderson of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Tiffany Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri. A brother Ronald Abbott and sister Malissa (Charles) Blair of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Three grandchildren: Elijah Anderson of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Keyana Anderson of Houston, Texas, and Lawrence R Anderson of Kansas City, Missouri, and one great granddaughter Zendaya Skye Casares-Anderson of Overland Park, Kansas. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.