Phillip J. Johnson was born April 7, 1913, in Pheba, Mississippi, the son of Joseph and Caledonia Johnson. In 1917, at age 4, he arrived in Beloit, his home for the next 88 years, with his father, mother, grandmother, aunts and uncles. He died at the age of 92 on January 1, 2006. Phillip graduated from Beloit High School in 1931. In 1936 he joined in marriage with Christable Williams, his bride for 69 years.

During the 1940’s, Phillip worked as a welder, millwright and machinery repairman at Gunite Foundry in Rockford, Illinois, retiring after 30 years of service in 1976.
Phillip was highly involved in family, church and community. At age 18 he became a member of New Zion Baptist Church and over the years served his church as a deacon, member of the Board of Trustees, including for several years serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher.

His community commitment included election to the Rock County Board of Supervisors, with service on the Education and Training Committee, the Social Service Board and the Community Action Program. He also was active on the Council of Aging and Area Agency on Aging; served on the Board of the City of Beloit Housing Authority, legislative committee of the Beloit AARP, member and president of the Beloit Chapter of the NAACP, and founding member of the Quest Club of Beloit. For many years he worked on the Leon Peterson Scholarship Committee, providing education funds for graduates of Beloit High School.

Phillip was a 33rd Degree Mason and past Grand Master of the Wisconsin Prince Hall Masons, a Shriner and served on the Prince Hall Foundation.

He was survived by his wife, Christabel, three children and six grandchildren.