Johnie Wesley Mason, 75, of Dunbar passed away on September 3, 2008, at CAMC General Hospital due to complications after surgery.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.

Born on April 1, 1933, in Clay County, at home, he was a son of the late William Wesley Mason Sr. and Martha Reed Mason Suntimer. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Charles Edward Mason; and his sister, Wilma Jackie Walker.

Johnie Wesley had many talents. He was a skilled homebuilder, real estate investment adviser and a business consultant. Johnie also operated and managed many successful businesses throughout his career.

In addition, Johnie proudly served 38 years in the bread business, starting at Cablish Baking Company in 1952, which was later purchased by Purity Maid and then by Flowers Bakeries. Johnie had learned every aspect of the bread business. Positions included head baker, shipping clerk, route salesman and market manager. After Johnie gracefully retired in 1994 from Flowers Industries, he continued on as an aggressive player in the market from the sidelines by investing in the purchase of as many as four Flowers distributors at a time. Johnie was a member of the Charleston Moose Lodge and loved participating on the ritual team.

In Johnie's final years, he spent most of his time trying to bring joy to others. He cherished the feeling of giving to people who may otherwise never find the means to achieve something. Johnie always looked forward to hauling grocery items donated by merchants to the Hissom Tabernacle Food Pantry and always tinkered with ways to haul more and haul faster to help the pantries success in feeding the needy. Johnie was often asked to take a break or time for just relaxation. He always replied that he didn't have time for foolishness. He only had time for things that had a real purpose in life.

Left to cherish Johnie's loving memories are his sons, Johnie W. III and his wife, Brenda S. Mason, and Mark A. Sr. and Rebecca S. Mason; daughter, Lavada L. and her husband, Harvey Williamson; sister, Catherine Oliver; brother, Willow Denver and his wife, Hellen Mason; granddaughter, Kim Kelley; grandsons, John Wesley Mason IV, William Holley Jr., Mark Anthony Jr. and his wife, Cassandra Mason, Christopher Lee Sr. and his wife, Stephanie Mason, Patrick Dale Mason and Joey Alexander Mason; six great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends.

Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 6, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 5, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.