Robert Ellis Johnson Sr. passed away June 10, 2016, at the age of 92. He was born February 17, 1924, to the late Horace and Bessie Johnson.

“Ellis” served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946; fought in the Battle of the Bulge and stayed in Germany as part of American Occupation Force after the war. He served in the ETO for 17 months. He was assigned to Company D, 7TH Infantry Regiment and had seven months experience as a platoon sergeant for a heavy weapons platoon. He supervised a platoon of 37 men engaged in operation of four 30 caliber heavy machine guns. He received the EAME Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the German Occupation Medal.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Violet Johnson; sisters, Ruth McCarthy and Louise Floyd; brother, Frank Glenn Johnson; and son, Paul Johnson.

He is survived by his sons, Robert Ellis (Diane) Johnson Jr., Chris M. (Rosanne) Johnson and Russell (Patty) Johnson; grandchildren, Terrell Cox, Bowe Johnson, Matt Johnson, Anna Daniels, Nigel Shepherd, Neal Shepherd, Matthew Floyd and Emily Warrington; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Furniss Johnson and James Johnson; special friends, Erskin Minor and Henry Mizelle; friends at the nutrition center; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. in New Live Oak Cemetery with the Rev. Travis Barnes officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you offer your prayers for the family.