William "Bill" Delbert Johnson, Jr.

William “Bill” Delbert Johnson Jr., 61, passed away at home on Thursday, June 11, 2026, after a courageous 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by the love of his family, Bill closed his eyes for the final time and entered the presence of his Savior.

Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

He was born on February 13 th, 1965, in Toledo, Ohio. Bill was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Jamie Spicer; his maternal grandparents, Steve and Betty Balazs; and his paternal grandparents, Bud and Mildred Johnson.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Johnson; his son, Hunter Johnson (Aliece); his parents, Bill and Joyce Johnson; his sister, Christine (Marcel) Verolme; niece and nephew Emily and Matt Verolme. He is also survived by his special niece, Jaylen Spicer, whom he loved as a daughter. They shared the same sense of humor and taste in music, creating a bond that was truly unique. Jaylen was a constant source of love and support during Bill's final months, and her presence brought him great comfort. He also leaves behind five loyal furry companions: Shadow, Winston, Foxy, Rudy, and Daisy — an eclectic group of pups that only a dad could love as much as Bill did.

Above all, Bill was a devoted husband, loving son and brother, and an exceptional father. He and Hunter shared a bond filled with laughter, adventures, cooking, and plenty of questionable ideas. Whether acting as Hunter’s trusted sous-chef or his partner-in-crime, Bill was always ready to say, “Hunt, watch this!”. Together, they created enough stories to fill volumes, especially on their “boys’ nights” when Amy worked late — anything went, and hand washing was optional.

Bill had a gift for making people laugh. He could tell a story like no one else, often leaving those around him hanging on every word. His quick wit, dry humor, and ability to find comedy in everyday situations made him someone people genuinely enjoyed being around.

A lifelong learner, Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lenoir-Rhyne University and a master’s degree in business administration from Gardner-Webb University. He possessed an endless supply of knowledge—some useful, some not so much. He could effortlessly recall obscure facts and random trivia, making him a formidable opponent for any trivia team and a reliable source of answers nobody knew they needed.

Bill found joy in life's simple pleasures. He loved working in his yard and took great pride in creating a space that reflected his hard work and attention to detail. He was also a master tinkerer, capable of fixing, modifying, or "MacGyvering" almost anything. If there was a problem to solve, Bill would find a way — even if it required a little creativity and a trip or two to the hardware store.

One of Bill’s greatest loves was dogs. Fortunately, this paired well with Amy’s passion for rescuing them. Over the years, their home became a haven for many four-legged family members, each one finding a place in Bill’s heart. Though he may not have chosen every dog that came through the door, he loved them fiercely once they arrived.

For ten long months, Bill faced pancreatic cancer with courage, determination, and grace. He fought hard against a relentless disease, refusing to let it define him. While cancer ultimately claimed his body, it never diminished his spirit, his sense of humor, or the love he had for his family.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Nurse Geneva Reavis and Social Worker Ellen Stroud of Mountain Valley Hospice. Their compassion, guidance, and care were a tremendous blessing to both Bill and Amy during this difficult journey. The family would also like to thank Madison Bakken, NP, of Atrium Health Baptist Palliative Care, whose kindness and dedication brought comfort and support throughout Bill’s illness.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Marler Road Baptist Church in Hamptonville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends at 2:00 p.m., followed by a service at 3:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Randy Johnson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, Elkin Rescue Squad, or Marler Road Baptist Church.