Bill Johnson

Billy Johnson was born April 24, 1952 in Livingston, TN, and he passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Alive Hospice Nashville at the age of 72.

Billy was the son of Billy Gray Johnson, Sr. and Charlene McCoin Johnson Kozy. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and friend; and a faithful Christian, baptized at age 9.

Billy was a licensed psychological examiner through the state of Tennessee and he worked for several mental health institutions. From working as a youth counselor at the Oasis Center in Nashville, to an adult counselor at Luton Mental Health Center, to helping people with severe disabilities at Clover Bottom Developmental Center, to teaching counseling at Argosy University, Nashville campus, Billy always devoted his work to help people of all ages and all walks of life who were in need. He owned and operated his own business from January 2020 to the spring of 2024 with the help of his late wife, Merri Havelock-Johnson, and his daughter, Colleen Bryant.

Billy also had a passion for sailing, music, sculpting, carving, and astronomy. He studied with and taught locally renowned artists, and he was commissioned to sculpt a bronze statue commemorating the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at Cumberland University’s Labry Hall. He loved to camp and enjoy the outdoors, and he built a deluxe treehouse for his grandchildren over the past year. He was a gifted musician and played the harmonica and concertina.

As one fellow faculty member put it, Billy had “no need for being anything other than who he is.” He was extremely intelligent, patient, giving, and a naturally gifted teacher and counselor. In his own words, “A day without a smile is a waste! So smile…and the whole world smiles…with you.”

Billy is preceded in death by his father and wife, Merri, who passed on September 5, 2024.

Survivors include his mother: Charlene (Steve) Kozy; daughters: Colleen (Brock Kissinger) Bryant of Mt. Juliet, TN, and Aubree (Tristan) Hill of Cookeville, TN; brother: Alan (Peggy) Johnson of Nashville, niece: Kate Johnson and nephew: Taylor Johnson; and grandchildren: Lucas, Lydia, Livi, and Solomon.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 12 noon until time of services at 2pm. Funeral service will be Sunday, September 22, at 2pm in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rob Draper Memorial Cemetery.

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 931-268-1550