William Johnson

William H. "Bill" Johnson passed away Friday afternoon, June 1, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:30 AM Tuesday, June 5, at the United Methodist Church in Motley. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:30 AM at the Church.
William Harvey Johnson was born on June 13, 1931, in St. Cloud, MN, the son of William O. and Gladys (Patterson) Johnson. He graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1949 and in 1951 enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he sailed all over the world on the USS New Jersey, the worlds most decorated battleship, making stops in many foreign ports. Bill met Nancy Kaswell in Clearwater, FL and the two were united in marriage on December 27, 1954, in St. Cloud, MN. To this union 3 children, William E., Kathleen, and Bonnie, were born. Bill and Nancy shared over 52 years of marriage.

Bill attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis preparing for his career as an electrician. After serving a four year apprenticeship, he became a union electrician working for Bacon Electric in Minneapolis. With a love of the outdoors and the west, the family moved to Idaho for several years where Bill worked for Wheeler Electric in Idaho Falls. Returning to Minnesota he worked for MJB Electric in St. Cloud, MN for 9 years. The lure of the west pulled Bill, Nancy and Bonnie back to Idaho where he finished his career as an Electrical Supervisor for Wheeler Electric. He was a very meticulous worker and was highly respected by his superiors and his crews. In 1996 Bill and Nancy returned to the woods, lakes and walleye fishing of central Minnesota.

Bill was also a dedicated family man enjoying time with his family exploring the mountains and backroads of Idaho and camping and fishing in Minnesota. He loved woodworking and built several intricate doll houses, custom furniture pieces, duck boats, portable fish houses and bird houses for his enjoyment. He also liked hunting, fishing, bird watching, gardening, metal detecting, trap shooting, the History Channel and Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion." Bills favorite music, which he spent many pleasurable hours listening to included Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and The Braun Brothers

He was preceded in death by his parents, William O. and Gladys; and 2 sisters, Delores Rassler and Audrey Fuchs. Bill is mourned in passing by his wife, Nancy of Motley; children, William E. (Judy) Johnson of Cushing, MN, Kathleen Johnson of Idaho Falls, ID, and Bonnie (Keith Liggett) Johnson of Stevenson, WA; 5 grandchildren, Michelle and Tim Smoley; Katie, Kelly and Billy Johnson; 4 great grandchildren, Jett William Moad, Gage William and Eli Burbidge and Madison Smoley; also 2 sisters, Hazel Schneider and Dorothy Jacobson

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Randall. Messages of support may be conveyed to the family through www.brenny.com