Mr. Oyd Wendell Johnson

CMSGT Oyd W. Johnson, USAF Retired, went home to be with the Lord on September 11, 2017. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 14th and from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Friday, September 15th at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. Burial will follow in Florence City Cemetery. Oyd was born on August 28, 1929 to Barney and Myrtle Johnson in Mize, MS and enjoyed a full life. He served in the United States Air Force for 29 and a half years. He was an Air Force Recruiter for 21 of those years. During his career, he spent most of his years in San Antonio, TX. When not in Recruiting, he was a Material Service Manager. While assigned to the Thule AFB, Greenland, he was awarded his second Meritorious Service Medal and when assigned to Southeast Asia, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. These are only three of many awards of many awards he received during his distinguished career. He was also the Chaplain of the 1503rd Air Transport Wing reunion group, which meets annually at different parts of the United States. Oyd was a faithful member of many Baptist Churches during his lifetime as his membership went wherever he lived. His latest church was First Baptist Church of Florence, MS where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He taught Sunday School for 51 years. An avid camper, he along with his wife Ruby, traveled to each state since his retirement. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneer Camping Club and held a Church Service on Sunday morning at each of their monthly campouts. He was also a member of the Mississippi Woodworker’s Association and enjoyed working on the wood lathe where he, over the years, has crafted many beautiful pieces. Oyd was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Ruby Johnson; and his son, Wendell Ross Johnson. He is survived by his son, James “Jim” Russell Johnson of Lubbock, TX; daughter, Carla Nations and her husband Michael of Pearl, MS; 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Organization or to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church of Florence, MS.