Wade William Johnson

Wade William Johnson, age 87 of Arbor Drive, Lexington passed away Thursday (10-2-2008) at Lexington Memorial Hospital.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday at First Baptist Church in Lexington with Dr. Ray Howell, 3rd and Rev. Tommy Wilson officiating. Burial will be at 4:00 pm Sunday at Rocky River Baptist Church Cemetery in Siler City. Wade was born April 10, 1921 in Chatham County, NC to William Ernest Johnson and Elizabeth Ward Johnson.  A member of First Baptist Church, member of the Fellowship Class, on the building and grounds committee, former Deacon, Sunday school teacher and usher. He was a Lion for 59 years and a member of the Downtown Lions Club of Lexington. He enjoyed his Monday morning coffee club, a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and an avid gardener.  His love of animals pushed him toward being a beef cattle farmer and was a member of the NC Cattleman Association. A 1949 graduate of NC State University with a BS Degree in Animal Science and also a MS degree in 1974.  He worked with the NC Agricultural Extension for 35 years, having served 32 years in Davidson County. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award at the Nationals, for County Agents at the annul meeting.  He was a veteran of the US Army having served in World War II.  During his service in the military, he was a POW and was captured near Saarbrucken in 1945 and spent one year in the Army Hospital. He received the Bronze Star for Heroic Meritorious Achievement, two Purple Hearts, for wounds received in combat and the combat Infantry Badge.  He was a Life member of VFW Post 3074, American Legion Post 8, DAV Chapter 13 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Leon Johnson. Surviving are his wife of 59 years Opal Clemmons Johnson, one daughter; Beth Pfaff and husband John of Chester, NJ, one son; Bill Johnson and wife Kathryn of Fort Mill, SC, four grandchildren; Betsy and William Pfaff and Emily and Walter Johnson, one sister Sarah J. McPherson of Snow Camp, NC, one brother; Paul Johnson and wife Betty of Siler City, NC and several nieces and nephews.   The family will receive friends Saturday night from 6 until 8 pm at Davidson Funeral Home and at other times at the home.   Memorials should be directed to First Baptist Church, PO Box 436, Lexington, NC  27293 or to donors favorite charity.   Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net