92 years old, of Seven Lakes West, died on Tuesday, February 2, at home. A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at West End Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Caroline Patterson Inlow of Providence, RI, presiding.
Harrell was born in Hertford to the late Charles Johnson and Lillie Temple Harrell Johnson. Following graduation from Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, he attended dental school at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond where he met his future wife, Mary Spencer Harrington. They moved to Weldon, and opened a dental practice. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and was stationed in Wright Patterson Air Force Base, living in Springfield, Ohio. Following service, they moved back to Weldon and he resumed his dental practice.
In 1953, he opened a dental practice in Southern Pines, and made many life-long friends, enjoying family, work and just about everything he ever did. Harrell and Spence moved to Seven Lakes West in 1986 and loved life on the lake and his new friends there.
Harrell is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mary Spencer; his children: Julie V. Johnson, Barbara (James) Bowman and William H. Johnson, Jr. (Julie); grandchildren Sam Bowman, Leslie Johnson, Susan Johnson (Tyler Brown), William H. Johnson, III (Amy), a great grandson, Milo William Brown and two nieces, Vickie (Rick) MacConnell and Gail (Dan) Daneker.
Harrell was preceded in death by his brother, Charles E Johnson and nephew, Charles Johnson, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; West End Presbyterian Church, 275 Knox Lane, PO Box 13. West End, NC 27376; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills, 160 Memorial Park Ct, Southern Pines, NC 28387; Companion Animal Clinic (Spay/Neuter Veterinary Clinic), 5071 US-1, Vass, NC 28394 or charity of your choice.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Tonya, LaSharn, Joyce, Shanique, who took such good care of Dr. Johnson during his illness.
Online condolences can be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes is serving the family.
