Ernest Lewis Johnson III

Ernest Lewis Johnson III, beloved husband of Brenda Porter Johnson, father of Courtney Johnson Sievers, father-in-law of William Roberts Sievers, and cherished grandfather of Witten Porterstone Sievers, passed away on April 8, 2025.

Born on July 22, 1943, to Anna and Lewis Johnson, Jr., Ern lived in Victoria, Virginia. His family later moved to Williamsburg, where he finished high school. He met Brenda while they were both students at William & Mary, and the two married following his return from service as an Army reconnaissance pilot in Vietnam.

Ern went on to earn a master’s degree in applied mathematics from Georgia Tech which launched his long and successful career as an actuary. He began at Metropolitan Life in New York City before accepting a position with Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company in Richmond. He later joined the Virginia State Corporation Commission, where he remained until retirement. During his time at the SCC, Ern frequently participated in national and international actuarial meetings including traveling to New York City for meetings at the World Trade Center. On one such trip, he bore witness to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as he was approaching 2WTC as the first plane was making impact.

Ern and Brenda shared a love of travel to their home in the Outer Banks and their annual New Year’s trips to Grand Cayman, where they had honeymooned. Together, they also explored Europe—visiting England, Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain.

A funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on April 24 at 11:00 a.m.