Blackie "Billy Ray Johnson"

“Billy Ray Johnson”, or Blackie to his family and friends, was born on October 10th, 1954 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Claude and Nancy (McKee) Johnson. He was raised in a home with three brothers and four sisters, John Lee McKee, Clem Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Juanita Moreno, Martha Jo Foster, Anita Leonard, and Linda Mae Johnson. He grew up and attended school in Hulbert and Oaks Mission. Blackie loved his family dearly. Blackie worked hard his entire life to care for his family, from working as a janitor at Hulbert schools to working at the nurseries, then working his way up to supervisor at Park Hill Plants and Trees Inc. until his health no longer permitted. In his early years, Blackie loved playing softball, even had his own team “BJ Bears”. When he wasn’t working, you could find him in his Chevy Silverado, listening to classic rock music and reading the paper. Blackie also enjoyed football, fishing, hunting, playing horse shoes, and spending time with family and friends. The July 4th holiday was always a big deal for Blackie. His daughters and other family members would come over and have a fish fry while the kids popped fireworks. Cannons were his favorite, he even enjoyed lighting off a few himself. He was a proud father of two daughters, Kelli and Billie. He adored and loved time spent with his girls. He was thrilled whenever he could joke around with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He had a heart as big as the sky. He never hesitated to help when he could, where he could. A Christian by faith, he was baptized and knew the Lord as his Savior. Things weren’t always easy for Blackie. When he was informed that his time was limited, he asked Billie and Bud to take him out one last time to fish. His daughter Kelli and mother of his children Teresa came along. He drank his last beer and was the only one to catch a fish that day, refusing help reeling it in, he reeled in a good size bass on his own! He was called to his eternal home on July 24th, 2024 at the age of 69 years old. He leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, one bonus son Buddy, and his brothers and sisters, John Lee McKee, Clem Johnson, Alton Ray Johnson, David Soban (honorary brother), Martha Jo Foster, Carolyn Powell, Linda Mae Johnson, Shirley Johnson, and one brother-in-law, Millard “Fud” Leonard.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Kelli Johnson of the home, Billie Vann and husband Jermyn “Bud” of Tahlequah, OK, bonus daughters, Breanna Hamby and Crystal Hamby all of Tahlequah, OK. He is survived by his brothers, Thomas Johnson and Claude Johnson Jr. and his sisters, Juanita Moreno and husband Francisco “Poncho”, Anita Leonard, and Lola Smith. He lives on in his six adored grandchildren and two adored great grandchildren, Raymond Pettit Jr., Dayahvion Gallagher, Jerome Vann Jr., Anthony Swimmer, Jermyn Vann Jr., and Jervary Vann. The great grandchildren include Dontrell Hughes and Kyren Vann, plus two on the way. He also leaves many nieces, nephews cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Billy Ray Johnson will be held on Thursday, August 1st, 2024 at Reed-Culver Funeral Home beginning at with Pastor Sam Keener officiating. The family will receive guests on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Swimmer Cemetery with his family.

Pallbearers for Blackie include Anthony Swimmer, Jerome Vann, “Bud” Jermyn Vann Sr., Armando Moreno, and Jason Leonard. His honorary pallbearers include Jermyn Vann Jr., Richard Leonard, RJ Johnson, Stevie Johnson, Hank Whitekiller, Jimmy Sams, Kaleb Gallagher.