William Osteen Johnson

William Osteen Johnson was born January 5, 1920 in Cusseta, GA. He was the son of the late Thomas Jenkins Johnson and Gussie Osteen Johnson. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1936 and went to The Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management, 1942. He did post graduate work at Auburn University, University of Georgia, and New York University. While at Georgia Tech, he played on the Varsity Basketball and Varsity Tennis Teams, 1940-1942. He won the State Men’s Championship and the Columbus City Championship in Tennis several times.

Mr. Johnson enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and entered Cadet School in 1942. He graduated as a Lieutenant serving in World War II in Panama City, FL, Salina, KS, and Okinawa. He retired from the US Army Air Corps in 1946. He was recalled in 1950 and served in Ft. Worth and Austin, TX during the Korean War and retired the second time in 1952.

Mr. Johnson was a teacher in the Muscogee School District in Columbus and taught math and coached basketball at Columbus High School from 1947-1950. He also coached Pop Warner Football and Little League Baseball in Columbus. He was a charter member of the “Super Football Fearless Forecasters” with the late Frank Lumpkin (UGA), Tom Starlin (Alabama), and Judge Bill Smith (Auburn). For 14 years, these four were called “The Prognosticators” and they represented their respective college teams. Before the beginning of football season, they presented a program to the Columbus Rotary Club giving predictions of the coming season’s wins and losses. They retired in 1995 and Matt Swift of the Rotary Club appointed four others.

He was employed at William F. Loflin and Company CPAs, December, 1953 and earned his CPA certificate in 1962. He married the love of his life, the former Faye Perry in 1960. He became a partner of the Loflin firm in 1962 and later with Harvey F. Peterson and Earl Harrell, purchased the firm and changed the name to Preston, Johnson, and Harrell, CPAs. He served one term as President of the Columbus Chapter of Georgia Certified Public Accountants Association and was a member of the American Institute of CPAs. He also served as a Junior Achievement Advisor. In 1973 he sold his share of the CPA partnership to Preston and Harrell joined Lummus Industries as Comptroller and Vice President of Finance. He retired in 1989. He was also a former member of the Board of Directors of South Trust Bank in Columbus.

Mr. Johnson was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Columbus and a 44-year member of the Columbus Country Club and a member of Green Island Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Thomas Jenkins and Gussie Osteen Johnson, brother , Frank Osteen Johnson Sr., nephew Frank Osteen Johnson Jr. He is survived by: his loving wife, Faye P. Johnson, sons, Greg (Shara) Johnson, Gary (Tammy) Johnson, grandchildren Emily (Tommy) Jernigan, Meghan Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Christi Diffy, great grandchildren, Emma Grace Jernigan, Lily Faye Jernigan, nieces, Louise Tolbert, Patti Johnson, great niece, Fran Johnson, great nephew, David (Leeza) Tolbert.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:00 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, a visitation will be held 1 hour prior to services. Interment will be in Parkhill Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Johnson family.