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In Memoriam
Billy Johnson
The ReMA PSI Chapter regrets to share the sad news that longtime ReMA staff member Billy Johnson passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, at his home in Alexandria, Va. He was 61.
William (Billy) Harrison Johnson was born Jan. 14, 1963, in Alexandria. He earned a B.A. in political science/public administration from North Carolina State University. He supported his alma mater by serving on the Dean’s Board and on the Advisory Board for the School of Public and International Affairs. Billy and his wife Tracy established the William H. Johnson and Tracy Schario Johnson Endowment to benefit the school. Billy went on to earn a Master of Public Administration and Public Policy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
An accomplished government relations executive and mentor, he was a masterful public policy expert, advocate and fundraiser. For the last 20 years, he was a highly respected and much-loved ISRI/ReMA staffer, most recently serving as the association’s Chief Lobbyist.
Among his many distinctions, Billy was named a Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics in 2021. And, in 2022, North Carolina State University chose him as its Humanities and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumnus.
Billy was an avid sailor who loved luxury cars, hotel bathrobes, an icy martini, and fine food. He cherished his life at Antidote, the waterfront home he and Tracy enjoyed on Virginia’s Northern Neck. He entertained their guests as grill master, oyster roaster, cocktail connoisseur, and the unofficial “wine ambassador” of the William Harrison winery. Billy and Tracy sailed the creeks and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay on Invictus and Miss GoGo and enjoyed golf, burning yard debris, leisurely sunsets, and stargazing. He is known for his Wolfpack fervor, compelling conversation and storytelling, buoyant optimism, and his abiding love for family, friends, and country.
He leaves behind his wife Tracy; his mother, Margaret; his sister, Rev. Sarah Nelson; niece and nephews Gaelen, Caleb, Eliza, Keegan, and Maren; and Kiki Kat. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Frank, and his brother, Thomas E. (Tommy).
Arrangements are with the Everly Wheatley Funeral Home. Calling hours will be Friday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the NC State Foundation, Inc. online or mailed to Campus Box 7016, Raleigh, NC 27695-7016, or King Street Cats, a cat welfare organization, 25 Dove St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
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