Wallace Dene Johnson, 92, of Booker, died Dec. 14, 2020 at Ochiltree General Hospital.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Darrouzett Cemetery with Dwain Read officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Booker.
The funeral home in Booker will be open for viewing/visitation on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing will be practiced and occupancy numbers will be limited. Services will be broadcast live on the Boxwell Brothers Facebook page. There is a link on the website, boxwellbros.com, to access the page.
He was born Oct. 20, 1928 in Stanberry, MO, and grew up in Stanberry and Island City, MO. He was a member of Island City Christian Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, from 1951-52 serving with the 409th, 45th and 25th Infantry Divisions.
He married Lillie Kemp on Dec. 20, 1959. He worked for several farmer around Lipscomb County, and as a mechanic at Bill Chase Automobile. He was a member of the Darrouzett American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parens, Sammie and Mary Alice Johnson; three bothers, Lloyd Johnson, Jim Johnson and Ralph Johnson; and one sister, Doris Hill.
He is survived by his wife, Lillie, of the home; one son, Randall Johnson of Perryton; one daughter, Alice Babineaux of Liberal, KS; two sisters, Lois Hawkins and Ann Jones of Kansas City, MO; one brother, Virgil Johnson of Camden Point, MO; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to one’s favorite charity.
Mayor Goat
The small, unincorporated community of Lajitas, Texas, located near Big Bend National Park, had a mayor in the 1980s named Clay Henry III. He was actually a goat promoted as a beer-drinking goat in an attempt to attract tourists. While his descendents still live in the area, the trading post and stable where the original Clay Henry lived is now closed.