J. Willis Johnson, III

J. Willis Johnson, Ill, ended his earthly journey on January 3, 2018, peacefully in his sleep. Born October 3, 1930, at the St. John's Hospital, which was built on the Fairgrounds Ranch that belonged to his grandfather. His parents were Clar Thorp and J. Willis Johnson, Jr. Willis graduated San Angelo High School and enrolled at Washington & Lee University. He later attended the University of Texas. After four years in the Air Force, Willis returned to SMU, where he studied journalism and principles of banking. At W&L, Willis, a student of geology which coincided with his ranching interest, was impressed with the outstanding Geology Department and later donated for preservation a dinosaur tooth found on the Door Key Ranch. When Willis' father became terminally ill, Willis returned home to take care of family businesses, which included the Crow's Nest and Door Key Ranches in Tom Green and adjacent counties and the Johnson Ranch in Kimble County. Willis had a sincere love for the land and animals. During these ranching years, Willis developed an interest in politics and met Bill Hayes, who was running for Lt. Governor as a Republican. Willis became Hayes' personal assistant. Shortly thereafter Willis attended a public forum where an aspiring candidate seeking a seat in the U.S. Congress was speaking. Willis realized a person in the audience was attempting to lead the candidate into a lengthy irrelevant discussion. Thinking quickly, Willis interjected a question to the candidate that put the discussion back on track. After winning the office Bruce Alter was seeking, he offered Willis a position on his staff in Washington, D.C. Willis readily accepted, expecting to stay only a short time; but his stint in D.C. turned into 12 years. He was active in the Young Republicans being spearheaded at the time by Donald Rumsfeld, Willis also worked on Capitol Hill for U. S Representative William Scott of Virginia, then on a White House Transition team, and later received a Presidential appointment to a position in the U. S. Department of Agriculture, for which he felt he could serve the agriculture interests of the people back home. Willis maintained an office in the old Congressional Hotel on Capitol Hill during most of his time in Washington. While considered a prominent Republican, Willis was basically a Libertarian and took pride in helping the State of Texas become a two-party State. Willis began his mornings with a cup of coffee and the Wall Street Journal continuing on with other newspapers and publications, keeping up with all current events. He read and collected historical books, especially those written on Sir Winston Churchill. Willis was a fan of the World War Il figure. He joined the Churchill Society and travelled to various meetings of the Society in England, Canada, Washington, D.C., Dallas, etc. Willis had a quick wit and engaging personality. He was good at either an impromptu speech or prepared remarks. He loved people and socializing. He was a solid friend to many who have engaging stories to share of their times with him. His friends were not only his family and those in his hometown, but Presidents, U. S. Representatives and Senators, State figures, and other celebrities. When Willis returned to San Angelo to tend to his family business, he was active in civic affairs. He did whatever was in his power to promote San Angelo and its activities, which included but was not limited to the Arts and art events. He was the first founder and informal first President of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, and a past President and continued strong supporter of the San Angelo Symphony. He was a major sponsor of San Angelo's first En Plein Air Texas event which was held in memory of the late Nancy Powell. Willis followed the tradition set by his grandparents and his father in that he gave generously to various civic projects and preferred anonymity. Willis reveled in the history of his hometown. One of his final tributes to his hometown was the placement of a life-size bronze of a horse and rancher depicting the heritage of West Texas Ranchers. The site for this bronze is on a lot Willis owned across from the O. C. Fisher Federal Building, which sits on the property once the site of the 1880s home of his grandparents. Viewing will be held at the Robert Massie Funeral Home 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2018; 10a.m. to 8:00p.m. Monday, January 8, 2018; and 10:00a.m. to noon, Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Graveside services will be held at Fairmount Cemetery at 2:00p.m. Tuesday, January 9, 2018, officiated by Reverend Matthew Rowe of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of San Angelo, with special comments by San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Howard Taylor, under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, Willis would appreciate your donations to the San Angelo Symphony, West Texas Boys Ranch, Meals on Wheels, Hospice of San Angelo or any charity of your choice.