Billie Jo Johnson

Billie Jo Johnson, 88, of El Campo and formerly of Boling and Lane City, passed away October 17, 2017, at a Houston hospital following a short illness. Billie was born on March 23, 1929 in Knox City, Texas, the daughter of the late J.R. “Bill” and Vassie Simpkins Bristow. Billie was raised in the Knox City and Lubbock area, she attended schools there. She married Ollie Johnson on March 26, 1946 in Haskell Texas. He preceded her in death on March 13, 1998. After moving to the Boling area in 1965, she began working as a legal secretary. She retired from Olan Mills Portrait Studio in 1999. Billie loved listening to music, attending dances with Ollie, visiting with friends and spoiling her great grandchildren. She was known as a family woman, doing everything she could to listen to, encourage and help in any way possible. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Lee Johnson and daughter, Dianne Johnson Gaines. Billie is survived by her daughter, Twyla Shelby of El Campo, grandchildren, Tommy Little and wife, Elizabeth, Rick Shelby, Karen Holub and husband, Jason, and Michael Gaines, great grandchildren, Austin Holub, J.R. Shelby, Chelsea Perez and husband, Aaron, Josh Holub, Rebecca Shelby and Bella Gaines, along with great great grandchild, Troy Alexander Perez. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the chapel of Wharton Funeral Home in Wharton, Texas with Rev. Dale West officiating.  Burial will be at the Wharton Cemetery in Wharton. Serving as pallbearers are Austin Holub, J.R. Shelby, Josh Holub and Sammy Fulton with Chelsea Perez and Rebecca Shelby as honorary pallbearers.