W. H. Johnson Jr.

William Harvey Johnson Jr. was born on May 10, 1919, in Ball, Louisiana, to William Harvey Johnson Sr. and Lela Johnson. He attended Harperville High School, graduating in 1935. He then graduated from East Central Junior College in 1937 and received his B.A. from Mississippi College in 1939.[1][2]

Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and served for four years in the European theatre of World War II. He started as an aviation cadet but rose to the rank of major, and ultimately earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, and a Presidential Citation.[1]

Johnson enrolled at University of Mississippi Law School in January 1946, and earned his LLB in January 1948. Later that year, he opened his own law office in Decatur, Mississippi.[1]

In 1952, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives representing Newton County.[3] According to his campaign ads, he was pro-segregation.[2] He served in the house for twelve years. He also was elected as district attorney for the 8th Circuit Court District of Mississippi in 1963.[1]

Johnson continued to run his private practice until his retirement in 1999. On March 22, 2004, Johnson died at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. His funeral was held on March 25, and he was buried in Decatur Cemetery.[1]