Houston Lynn (Sonny) Johnson, Jr., age 65, of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died peacefully at his residence on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Sonny was born on July 30, 1950 in Clifton Forge, the son of Virginia "Sadie" McCormick Johnson and the late Houston Lynn Johnson, Sr.

Sonny was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was an active member of the Central Advent Christian Church and a member of the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge.

Sonny worked as a conductor for CSX until his retirement in 2005. Prior to his employment with CSX in 1978, he worked as a tile and carpet installer. He continued this work for many years as he greatly enjoyed it.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Deborah Nicely Johnson; his mother, Sadie Johnson; a son, Houston Lynn "Trey" Johnson III; a daughter, Billie Jo Westfall, and his only grandchild, Jackson Haydon Westfall, all of Clifton Forge; four sisters, Jenny Chandler and husband, Dave of Stuarts Draft, Bobbie Dickerson and husband, Dick of Cadiz, OH, Linda Johnson of Stuarts Draft, and his devoted sister, Cindy Johnson of Clifton Forge; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sam and Margaret Nicely of Clifton Forge; two sisters-in-law, Lynn Whitehead and husband, Jerry, and Tammy Long and husband, Bobby; a brother-in-law, Sammy Nicely and wife, Jill; as well as a number of aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In keeping with his wishes, Sonny's body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be conducted on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Gene Peters officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, one hour prior to the service at Nicely Funeral Home, and also after the service.

Because of Sonny's great love for dogs, the family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany County Humane Society, P. O. Box 60, Low Moor, VA 24457.