Willie "Billie" Johnson Herron

Willie (Billie) Johnson Herron passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 99. She was born September 17, 1925, in San Antonio, Texas to Minor and Beulah Johnson. She grew up in San Antonio and graduated from South San High School. She was the youngest of 3 girls, having been born on her oldest sister’s 3rd birthday. After high school, Billie attended Brownwood College. She married her high school sweetheart, Paul Herron after World War II ended, and he returned home from the Navy. They had 1 daughter.

After the death of her husband in 1962 Billie worked for Applied Research Laboratory at The University of Texas in Austin. She made many friends during her 30-year career at the lab.

Billie loved her family and adored her grandchildren. She spent lots of time with them and her mother, sisters and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She liked to travel and took many trips with her family and friends throughout the US, Mexico and Canada. She loved seeing all the flowers and foliage and engrossed herself in the history of the places she traveled.

Billie also enjoyed making ceramics. She made lamps, vases and other special items for her family and friends. She was an excellent painter (although she would not admit it) and incorporated much of her painting into her ceramics.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul Herron, two sisters, Deane Kelly and Jane Morris. She is survived by daughter Janet Lucas, granddaughter Lisa Rzepniewski and husband Jason and 2 great-granddaughters Lauren and Katie.

Graveside Services will be held Monday, December 9th at 1:00 pm at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX 78731.