Walter Wayne Johnson, known as Wayne, Big Wayne or Big Papa to his friends and family, passed away on March 8, 2021. He was surrounded by his loving Wife and best friend of 27 years, Terri, and other family members.

Wayne was born to Walter and Sadie Johnson in Brunswick, Georgia and they later moved to Yulee, FL where he lived the majority of his life. He was a simple man who didn’t need much. He was content being home with his Wife and his youngest son, Mayson, and eating his chicken arms, as he so often called them (i.e., chicken wings).

He was an early entrepreneur in Yulee and after learning the business from his dad, he formed his own company, Johnson’s Tractor & Piping, which he grew into a successful, reputable, and thriving business with the help of his son, Turk and wife.

He was an avid sports fan and football was his favorite sport. He loved to be around his kids sporting events growing up and did everything he could to be involved, including coaching, serving as the Commissioner of local Pop Warner Football, and was even a part of the Chain Crew on the sidelines. He stayed involved with Yulee Pop Warner many years after his own kids left. Outside of his kids’ and local sports, you could find Wayne cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs every Saturday.

He had a long-standing relationship with God and was very blessed with his faith through his final days.

He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Sadie Nettles Johnson and a brother, Steve Johnson.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 19 years, Terry Jones Johnson of Yulee; his children, Renae (Arthur) Trey of Kingsland, GA, Jeremy “Turk” (Tricia) Johnson of Yulee, David Johnson of Neptune Beach, Shawn (Katie) Johnson of Jacksonville Beach, Roger (Tammy) Johnson of Yulee, Jennie Johnson of Yulee and Mayson Johnson of Yulee; his sisters, Brenda Johnson of Fernandina Beach and Sherry Conner of Yulee; grandchildren, Wyatt (Paige) Windham, Georgia (Chad) Worley, Sadie Ann Trey, Ralph Ellison, Kyle Ellison, Preston Johnson, Felicity Johnson, Avery Johnson, Emery Johnson and Jackson Baker; Great Grandchildren, Tynslee, Taylee, Makhaela and Aeric . He will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Wayne was a strong and good man, with a big smile and caring heart who never met a stranger. He has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be loved and missed by many. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us.

All are welcome for visitation Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors from 5:00 until 7:00PM.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 12, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM at River of Praise Worship Center with Rev. Larry Osburn officiating. Wayne will be laid to rest at Hughes Cemetery.

The family asks donations, in memory of Wayne, may be made to The Gideons International online at Gideons.org.