William Howard Johnson, Sr. April 14, 1927 – December 23, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card FLORENCE – William “Bill” Johnson was born on April 14, 1927, to Eunice Ammons and Howard English Johnson in Chesterfield County, SC. He went to Heaven on December 23, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family. Bill is survived by his children, Samantha (“Monnie” to her family) Russ Apgar of Easley, SC, Wesley C. Johnson (Lisa) of Florence, SC, and Rebekah Michelle Johnson (Cindy) of Florence, SC; a daughter-in-law, Jane Lane Johnson; grandchildren, Lesli Michelle Santillan (Mel) of Chicago, IL, Leigh Johnson Reed of Florence, SC, Dr. Kasie Danielle Whitener (Charlie) of Blythewood, SC, Kristen Elizabeth Tiede (Jeff) of Aldie, VA, William Lane Johnson (Meagan) of Florence, SC, William Howard Johnson II of Florence, SC, Ethan Wesley Johnson of Clemson, SC, Preston Taylor Stone of Miami, Florida, and Kirsten Haley Stone of Aldie, VA; and nine great-grandchildren.
He also leaves behind his beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Lillian Johnson Huggins; his wife, Myrtle Russ Johnson; his two sons, William Howard Johnson, Jr., and John Daniel Johnson; his grandson, William Howard Johnson III; and granddaughter, Jessica Amber Johnson. Bill grew up in Chesterfield County, SC and graduated from McBee High School in 1944, after which he was in the Navy for two-and-a-half years.
He returned to Hartsville, SC and went to work for Carolina Power and Light Company (now Duke Energy) in 1948. He retired from CP&L in 1990 after 42 years of service. He and his family moved to Florence, SC in 1958, where he became a member of the Pee Dee Shrine Club and Omar Imps.
He was a dedicated coach to his sons’ baseball teams (Dixie Youth Baseball) and remained in attendance as a fervent fan of his grandchildren’s sports teams throughout his life. He was a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where he was a part of the Jimmy McNair Sunday School Class and served in many other capacities. Bill was an avid sports fan and loved Clemson football.
As a member of IPTAY for 61 years, in 2016, he received the Lifetime Supporter Award at the Florence Prowl & Growl. Bill passed on his love of Clemson athletics (especially Tiger football in Death Valley) to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill’s was a large and loving personality whose affection was felt by anyone who knew him and each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren felt they were his favorite.
The truth is they were all his favorite; he was a humble and grateful man who cherished each moment God let him live. Funeral services will be Friday, December 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Waters-Powell Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The family would like to thank Regency SouthernCare Hospice and Kylee Turner for their undivided and compassionate care. Memorial funds may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 and St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1629 W. Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29501.
SERVICES Funeral Service Friday, December 28, 2018 1:00 PM Waters-Powell Funeral Home 400 S Dargan Street Florence, South Carolina 29506 Get Directions on Google Maps The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 28, 2018, at the funeral home.
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