William Lee Johnson unexpectedly passed away on May 17, 2024, at the age of 67 at his home in Olympia, Washington. Lee was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, to his devoted parents, Mary Ann Johnson and Joseph L. Johnson, Jr. 

Lee’s interests in aviation and adventure lead him to join the U.S. Air Force in 1977.  While in the military, he completed his bachelor’s degree. Lee served honorably as a flight engineer in the Persian Gulf War and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant when he retired in 1998 with over 20 years of distinguished service. His last military detail brought him to the State of Washington, where he remained and raised his family. 

After the military, Lee took a position with The Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, and in 2003, he returned to government service as an officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).  At CBP, Lee excelled in immigration law and held the position of Deferred Inspection officer at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and later expanded his skills by transferring to the Port of Tacoma as part of the vessel boarding and inspection team. He retired from the CBP in March 2023 with 40 years of dedicated government service. 

Outside of work, Lee had a passion for aviation and aeronautics like his father, who worked for NASA as an aeronautical engineer.  In his youth, he enjoyed skydiving, much to the horror of his mother. He later earned his pilot’s license. He also played the guitar and enjoyed rock and roll, rhythm and blues music, attending the concerts of all the major rock bands and musicians throughout his life. On a personal level, Lee was a loving and devoted father to his two sons, Michael and Christopher, and took great pride in their achievements as they matured into adults. He was a constant source of love and encouragement in his sons’ lives, providing for them in any way needed. When they had questions, he was there to listen, and his thoughtful advice guided them to better times, like a lighthouse piercing through the fog of a sometimes cold and confusing world.

Lee also loved and cared deeply for his extended family and many friends and was always available to help anyone in need. He remained in regular contact with family members and friends across the country to ask and express his care about their lives. Lee met fellow officer Oralia Villa in his work at CBP, and they recently made plans to marry. Lee will always be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by the many people he touched in a life well lived that ended too soon.

Lee is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his two sons, Michael and Christopher of Tacoma, Washington; his two brothers, David of Mary’s Home, Missouri, and Randy of Washington D.C.; his two nephews, Joe (Danielle) of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Sam of Chicago, Illinois; and his beloved aunts and uncle, Marie and Robert Wells of Azle, Texas, and Sue Sistrunk of Montgomery, Alabama; along with his many cousins and extended family members.

Services will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 812 Bowker St. SE, Lacey, WA 98503.  Viewing will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by the mass at 10:30 a.m., and then burial at Mills and Mills, 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98512.

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