In Memoriam – William E. Johnson III

We all have mentors, those people who coach us and help steward our potential. William E. Johnson III, or Bill-E. as everyone fondly called him, was such a person to me, having been responsible for the production of my cable access TV show, “Southern Soul.” My friend and collaborator recently made his spiritual transition.

Before I sing his praises of what it was like to be in his presence on the set each time we taped an episode, I want to share how we met. Believe it or not, the two of us connected at a “Wheel of Fortune” game show audition in the Palm Springs area nearly eight years ago. I eventually moved to Santa Barbara and, unknowingly to me, Bill-E. moved to nearby Ventura! After reading my spiritual blog a few times, he reached out to me and proposed the idea of “Southern Soul.”

Our first taping in my own apartment wasn’t exactly my finest hour: flubbing lines, missing cues, etc. But, Bill-E. provided the guidance that made me more comfortable when we eventually moved the taping into a professional studio. He knew the mechanics and magic of producing and directing a TV show. I just showed up.

Over the months of filming, we would share many stories about each of our own spiritual and psychic experiences. Needless to say, our conversations, both on and off the set, were always interesting and entertaining.

Of course, I wasn’t the only person in the studio who was blessed by Bill-E.’s gifts. All the crew members were inspired by him as well.

While being a part of the cable access TV show, “Southern Soul,” was rewarding, knowing Bill-E. was the main attraction.

Love and light,

Tony

As the producer/director of my cable access TV show, “Southern Soul,” William E. Johnson III always had my back!