Beech Tree News Network

Wally Johnson, age 84, of Sebring, Florida, peacefully departed this life on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at his home.  He was born October 21, 1936 in Morgantown, Kentucky to Nellie Tuck Romans.  He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Gies Johnson; his children Kimberly Massengill, Chris (Lisa) Johnson, Keith “Cheet” (Karla) Johnson, Connie (Patrick) Riley, Karla Jones, and Clay Johnson; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  He is predeceased in death by one grandchild, Maggie.

Wally was a graduate of Butler County High School, Middle Tennessee State University, and Western Kentucky University.  His first passion in life was basketball.  After a successful high school career at Butler County, he played point guard at Middle Tennessee, in college.  Shortly after college, Wally came back to his native state of Kentucky and became a science teacher and basketball coach, first at Flaherty High School, then North Hardin High School and lastly, at Bardstown High School.  After many years of coaching, he finished his teaching career as Principal at Third District Elementary in Rochester, Ky. 

In retirement, Wally and his wife, Susan, have primarily spent the last 21 years in Sebring, Florida.  However, Wally’s love of sports never ended.  He began playing a new sport, popular in Florida, called Petanque and became famous in his community for rubbing the Petanque ball on his belly for good luck before every shot --and it was usually a winner!  He also became the greatest ambassador for the Kentucky Wildcats and Evan Williams bourbon that the state of Florida has ever known.

Always the life of the party, Wally had a gift of making everyone around him laugh and feel special.  Everyone that knew him, has a “Wally Story” to tell and re-tell again.  Even in his last few years, as his health declined, Wally never lost his sense of humor or his happy demeanor.  We all hope to one day, sit down with Wally again, sip some bourbon and watch the Wildcats play basketball.

A Celebration of Life in Wally’s memory will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for remembrances to Kosair Charities, PO Box 37370, Louisville, KY 40233-7370 (or online at Kosair.org) or the charity of your choice.