Willie "Burgess" Johnson

Willie “Burgess” Johnson, 78, of Connersville, died Thursday morning, January 19, 2017, at Caroleton Manor in Connersville. Burgess was born in Jackson County, Kentucky, March 11, 1938, to William Everett and Bertha Katherine Pearson Johnson. He had farmed the family farm raising cattle and hogs. He loved life and was a hard worker. Burgess had also been employed at Connersville Casket Company, National Metal Products, Design and Manufacturing, the housekeeping department at Fayette Memorial Hospital, J & J Packaging in Brookville and the Rushville Furniture Factory. He loved people and was a committed sponsor of Alcoholics Anonymous helping many overcome their addiction. Burgess liked tending his five acre garden with his kids as well as fishing, picking blackberries and gospel, bluegrass and country music. Burgess is survived by his children: Bethel Harrison and her husband, Tip; David Johnson, Kenneth Johnson and his wife, Pam; Donald Johnson; Suzanna Johnson, all of Connersville; his companion: Loretta Roszell of Connersville; eleven grandchildren: Rebecca Harrison, Larry Harrison, Jennifer Weston and husband, Bob, Jared Johnson, Rachel Steele, Travis Johnson and his wife, Seavenly; Lance Johnson, Brandon Johnson, William Massanet, and Rebekah Brumfield; nine great-grandchildren: Scotty Banks, Jarrett Weston, Bobby Weston, Madison and Makylah Steele; Alexander, Troy, and Jordan Johnson; and Owen Johnson; brothers and their spouses: McKinley “Doc” Keen and Donna, William Keen and Emma Lee, Mark Keen and Debbie, all of Connersville; sisters: Bronzie Isaacs and her husband, Lonnie; Frankie Jones, all of Connersville; sister-in-law: Donna Johnson of Connersville; many nieces and nephews. Burgess was preceded in death by his father, his mother: Bertha Keen; step-father: William McKinley Keen; brother: Robert Johnson; sisters: Jessie Isaacs, Brenda Massey and her husband, Richard; brother-in-law: Denver Isaacs, Jr.; and his former wife: Miriam F. Johnson, who died January 4, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted at Monday, January 23,2017 at 1 p.m. at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Robert E. Lee officiating. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery, section G. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.