Willis "Ray" Johnson, III was born on March 22, 1940 to Willis R. Johnson Jr. and Pearl Justice Johnson, at his grandmother Agnes's house in Onslow County, NC. As a child he loved baseball and music, and he played the trumpet.

Ray passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023 after a valiant battle with an unexpected onslaught of several complications, remaining sharp as a tack throughout.

Ray graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1958. That's where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Nunes, in band, and they were married in 1963.

In 1964, Ray graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy. He was very appreciative of UNC, proudly wore their Carolina-Blue colors, and followed the Tarheels sports teams very closely all his life.

Ray loved his pharmaceutical career, which began at New River Pharmacy in Jacksonville for 10 years, then Clark's Drug Store in New Bern for 4 years. In 1978, he began working at Johnson Drug Company, and worked there until 2014. He loved his job and the people he met every day. He loved mentoring young professionals on their pharmaceutical career path, and sharing his wisdom about medications, and how best to safely use them.

He enjoyed fishing in Sneads Ferry in the Chadwick Bay and New River areas. He loved a good steak dinner with a hot cup of coffee or Frappuccino, as well as sharing music with friends. He had a great sense of humor; he told jokes with a very straight face and then would quietly smile as everyone was laughing.

Ray is predeceased by his children, Karen Johnson Meyerchick and Kenneth Ray Johnson; and many beloved dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Nunes Johnson; his grandson, Matthew Ray Meyerchick; his son-in-law Erik Meyerchick; and many extended family and friends.

Visitation: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 9:30-10AM, followed by a graveside service at 11AM at Onslow Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Lighthouse Baptist Church, 2531 Burgaw Hwy., Jacksonville, NC  28540.