HR0544 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0544 LRB103 36690 LAW 66800 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John Willis Johnson, who passed away on December 18, 2023; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson was born to Chester Johnson and Clorine McGilberry in Ellisville, Mississippi on February 10, 1944; he attended Roosevelt Elementary School in Ellis; after moving to St. Louis with his mother and siblings, he continued his education in the St. Louis public school system; he graduated from Soldan High School in 1964, where he lettered in basketball, tennis, and baseball; he briefly attended Culver Stockton College; he married Shirley Jean Smith on May 30, 1965; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson worked at Mallinckrodt/Tyco/Covidien from April 1965 until his retirement in July 2010; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson was a union advocate and held several positions during his career, including shop steward, vice president, and president of UAW Local 1887; he went to Washington, D.C. with Jim Wells, then-director of UAW Region 5, to testify before Congress on plant safety issues; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson played basketball in both industrial and independent leagues for more than 20 years; he then volunteered his services as assistant coach of the Beaumont High School Varsity Basketball Team alongside his friend Bob Cole, the program's head coach; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson committed to his faith at an early age; he was baptized at Mount Aid Missionary Baptist Church, which was built by his grandfather, John, and other family members in 1885 and still has an active church community today; at Mount Aid, he was active in the Baptist Training Union and the Sunday School, where he served as superintendent as a pre-teen; he also attended Douglas Chapel AME, where his father served as a deacon; after moving to St. Louis, he became a member of Zion Temple Missionary Baptist Church; he and his wife established a membership at West Side Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson's love for his family was vitally important to him, and he was an avid supporter and leader of the annual McGilberry Family Reunions from 1982 to 2023; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley; his parents, Chester Johnson and Clorine McGilberry McCann; his sister, Shirley Keyes; his brothers, Teddy Johnson, Clarence McCann, and Gerald McCann; his in-laws, Leslie and Beulah M. Smith, Lester Smith, Laura Trice, and Howard and Hurletta Davidson; and

WHEREAS, John Johnson is survived by his sons, Anthony (Angelita) Johnson and Terrell Washington; his grandchildren, Ciara, Jameelah, and Khairi; his great-grandson Jourdyn; his aunt, Zemma Conner; his sisters, Fannie Simpson, Carolyn Reed, and Ruth (Charles) McGee; his brothers, George (Marian) McGilberry, Larry McCann, and James H. Johnson; his sister-in-law, Christine (Carl) Williams Jr.; his brother-in-law, Charles (Christy) Smith Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Willis Johnson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Johnson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.