Edwin Wallace "Ned" Johnson II

Edwin Wallace "Ned" Johnson II passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024. Born in Spartanburg, SC, on June 3, 1947, he was a son of the late Dr. George Dean Johnson, MD, and Elizabeth Heath Johnson. Ned was honored to carry the name of his beloved Uncle Ed, Edwin Wallace Johnson. He was predeceased as well by his very special person, Rosetta Miller.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina and USC Law School, he worked as an attorney for Burr Forman, previously the McNair Law Firm. In 1985, Governor McNair invited Ned to establish a Labor and Employment practice group at the McNair firm, a practice he led until his retirement in December 2023. Ned was one of the premier labor and employment law attorneys in South Carolina, recognized nationally as a management-side labor lawyer. Ned mentored many young lawyers, always willing to listen and guide young professionals as they advanced in their careers. His bar admissions and activities included the South Carolina Bar, the Court of Military Appeals, and he served as a member of Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. In 1988, Ned ran Bob Dole’s Presidential Campaign in the state of South Carolina. Ned was elected as the Secretary of the Palmetto Business Forum and he held that position honorably for 35 years.

Ned was a voracious reader, beginning each day with his print newspapers and ending his day with a book in hand. In addition to his love of reading, his love for all things to do with fishing, flying, and hunting was only exceeded by his love for his wife, his brothers and their families, his pups, his turtle, and his dear friends.

Surviving are his wife, Victoria Robert (Vicki) Barnhill; brothers, George Dean Johnson Jr. (Susan Phifer), and Stewart Heath Johnson (Ann Cobb), both of Spartanburg, SC; nieces, Jamie Johnson Boyd (Bear), Ann Burnett Johnson, Susanna Johnson Shannon (Tim); nephews, Stewart Heath Johnson Jr. (Ann Mullins), David Greenewald Johnson (Louise), and George Dean Johnson III (Carter Lee); godson, George Anthony Campbell Jr and his wife Marquin McMath; and numerous adored great-nieces and great-nephews.

A funeral service for Edwin Johnson II will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. A reception will immediately follow the service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Satterlee Hall. An interment following the reception will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Howlmore Animal Sanctuary, PO Box 61128, Columbia, SC 29260 (803)404-0804. Or to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org 855-448-3997

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.