The Rev. William A. Johnson Sr. was a native of Atlantic City, N.J. He served a term in the U.S. Marines and retired as a lieutenant in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He also served as pastor at the Parkside Baptist Church and then the Christian Mission Fellowship Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, Pa., and later the Encounter Baptist Church in York, Pa., for a total of 25 years. He was a member of the East End Baptist Church.

He served as president of the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania and South Jersey and as a Black Church Relations Consultant for the Southern Baptist Convention.

He was married to the late Rosa Mae Johnson, and together they had two sons, four daughters and nine grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at East End Baptist Church, Suffolk.

Harris Funeral Home has been entrusted with the home going service. You may send condolences to the family at www.vharrisfuneralhome.com.