Johnny Will McBride was born April 16, 1947 in Phenix City, Alabama to the late William and Gladys Ferguson McBride. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and united with Mt.Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Smiths Station, Alabama under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Moses Morris.

Johnny was a 1967 graduate of Wacoochee High School in Salem, Alabama.  He was employed with Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Corporation for 24 years and retired from the Lee County Board of Education after 15 years of service.

Johnny Will was united in holy matrimony to Fannie Kate Davis June 29, 1969 and to this union one daughter was born. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Willie James White,  Calvin  McBride and Clifford McBride. Johnny departed this life on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, Georgia.

He leaves to cherish his memories:  his loving and devoted wife, Fannie Davis McBride; one daughter, Diedra McBride; one grandson, Dauton Hodge; two sisters, Annie F. Williams and Louise Floyd; four brothers, Horace (Linda) McBride, Hayward (Amanda) McBride, William Howard McBride and Glen Edward McBride; brothers-in-law, Rev. Marvin ( Mary Helen) Davis, Eugene Fitzpatrick and Brady Fears, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Mary B. McBride, Annie Johnson, Patricia Fears and Virginia Fears; and, a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.