Obituary for William Joseph "Bill" Johnson
Our beloved father and grandfather, William Joseph Johnson, 90, a long-time resident of Ocala, Florida, and formerly of Greenburgh, NY, passed away on April 21, 2023, in Bridgeville, Delaware.
William “Bill” was born in Norfolk, Connecticut on January 28, 1933, to Arthur and Katherine Bailey Johnson. As a young man, he enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, baseball, and was an award-winning skier. Bill joined the United States Army in 1951 and served as a Sergeant in the Korean war. Following his military service, he married and moved to White Plains, New York. Bill raised four children and was employed by Otis Elevators for many years. After the death of his first wife, he remarried and moved to Ocala, Florida.
Bill loved God. He was a Deacon and Deacon Emeritus at several churches throughout his life. Bill faithfully attended church service and bible study, studied the Bible daily, and was interested in biblical history and linguistics. Bill was a deeply spiritual man who was devoted to his family. He was resourceful and exhibited an extraordinary work ethic throughout his professional and personal life.
Bill loved playing golf and fishing. He also loved to watch westerns and never missed Thursday Night Football with his neighbors. Bill loved to eat; especially Italian food! He put oil and vinegar on everything.
Bill will be remembered for his unwavering faith and the joy he brought to the lives of those around him.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan M. Johnson of White Plains, NY; his second wife, Dolores James Johnson of Ocala, FL; and his son, Joseph J. Johnson of Upper Marlboro, MD. He is survived by his daughters: Josephine Holbert (Patrick) of Bridgeville, DE and Dorshia Johnson of Feasterville, PA; his son, David M. Johnson of Los Angeles, CA; his stepsons: Michael James of Beacon, NY and Stanley James of Montclair, NJ; his grandsons: William Holbert (Meghan) of Arnold, MD and Jonathan Holbert (Ellie) of Annapolis, MD; and his step-grandson, Adrian James of Montclair, NJ.
Interment of his cremains with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, 1PM at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, INC., 606 SW Broadway, Ocala Florida 34475.
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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of William J. Johnson entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of William J. Johnson during their time of bereavement.
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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in his honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.
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As a lasting tribute in Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a contribution may be made in his name/memory/honor to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., 606 SW Broadway, Ocala, Florida 34475, and/or you may choose to plant a tree in his name/memory/honor as another lasting tribute. If sending flowers despite the family's request, they may be delivered either on Fri. June 2nd, 2023 by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Sat. June 3rd by/before 12:00 NOON to Lee's Funeral Home, LLC. The Family Thanks You!
William “Bill” was born in Norfolk, Connecticut on January 28, 1933, to Arthur and Katherine Bailey Johnson. As a young man, he enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, baseball, and was an award-winning skier. Bill joined the United States Army in 1951 and served as a Sergeant in the Korean war. Following his military service, he married and moved to White Plains, New York. Bill raised four children and was employed by Otis Elevators for many years. After the death of his first wife, he remarried and moved to Ocala, Florida.
Bill loved God. He was a Deacon and Deacon Emeritus at several churches throughout his life. Bill faithfully attended church service and bible study, studied the Bible daily, and was interested in biblical history and linguistics. Bill was a deeply spiritual man who was devoted to his family. He was resourceful and exhibited an extraordinary work ethic throughout his professional and personal life.
Bill loved playing golf and fishing. He also loved to watch westerns and never missed Thursday Night Football with his neighbors. Bill loved to eat; especially Italian food! He put oil and vinegar on everything.
Bill will be remembered for his unwavering faith and the joy he brought to the lives of those around him.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan M. Johnson of White Plains, NY; his second wife, Dolores James Johnson of Ocala, FL; and his son, Joseph J. Johnson of Upper Marlboro, MD. He is survived by his daughters: Josephine Holbert (Patrick) of Bridgeville, DE and Dorshia Johnson of Feasterville, PA; his son, David M. Johnson of Los Angeles, CA; his stepsons: Michael James of Beacon, NY and Stanley James of Montclair, NJ; his grandsons: William Holbert (Meghan) of Arnold, MD and Jonathan Holbert (Ellie) of Annapolis, MD; and his step-grandson, Adrian James of Montclair, NJ.
Interment of his cremains with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, 1PM at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, INC., 606 SW Broadway, Ocala Florida 34475.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of William J. Johnson entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of William J. Johnson during their time of bereavement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in his honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a lasting tribute in Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a contribution may be made in his name/memory/honor to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., 606 SW Broadway, Ocala, Florida 34475, and/or you may choose to plant a tree in his name/memory/honor as another lasting tribute. If sending flowers despite the family's request, they may be delivered either on Fri. June 2nd, 2023 by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Sat. June 3rd by/before 12:00 NOON to Lee's Funeral Home, LLC. The Family Thanks You!