William Hugh Johnson

Dr. William Hugh Johnson, 84, died Monday, October 3, 2016 at Rex Hospital. William (Bill) was born September 14, 1932, in Fayetteville, NC. The son of Walter and Elizabeth Johnson, he grew up in Hope Mills, NC and attended Hope Mills High School.

Dr. Johnson attended N.C. State University, where he received a BS, MS and Ph.D. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He remained at NCSU and devoted over 40 years to a distinguished career in research and teaching, becoming a full professor in 1969. He was the principal researcher in the development of bulk curing, automatic curing, freeze-drying technology, multi-barn solar curing with heat recycling, cut-strip curing methodology and computer-controlled energy management. In addition to holding many patents, he had more than 80 publications and received numerous honors and awards, including the Gamma Sigma Delta Award of Merit and the Philip Morris Distinguished Achievement Award in Tobacco Science. Dr. Johnson’s research accomplishments led to many invited presentations at international conferences in England, Zimbabwe, Switzerland, Philippines and Spain. One of his most rewarding experiences was a three-month assignment with the Ford Foundation as a consultant to the Indian Institute of Technology to assist in rice-processing research. In 1982, Dr. Johnson was appointed assistant director of the N. C. Agricultural Research Service at N.C. State. After retiring in 1994, he continued working part-time as a Professor Emeritus until 2004.

Bill was fortunate to share the last 57 years with his beloved wife, Glenda Noble Johnson, with whom he raised a family and served as a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, and loyal friend to many. He touched the lives of countless people who will remember him for his warmth, humility, wisdom, compassion and his endearing smile. He and family were active participants at Edenton Street United Methodist Church for 22 years. Subsequently, he was a supportive partner in his wife’s ministry during her career as a United Methodist minister. For the past 15 years, he has been an active participant in faith activities at Highland United Methodist Church. He was also a talented musician and gardener, avid Wolfpack fan, and loved spending time playing piano, singing, working in his yard and watching NCSU basketball and football games.

Bill is survived by his wife, Reverend Glenda N. Johnson; children, William Carlyle Johnson and wife, Maureen, Richard C. Johnson and wife, Archna; his brother, David Johnson and wife Marjorie; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Johnson and Peggy Johnson; brothers and sisters in law Elaine and Keith Blake and Charles and Martha Woodall; five grandchildren, Breanna, Maura, Sean, Ilena, and Raeva Johnson; and 15 wonderful nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter C. Johnson Sr. and Elizabeth Black Johnson; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary J. Koonce and Calvin Koonce, Sr. of Fayetteville; two brothers, Walter Johnson Jr. of Kinston and Garnette Johnson of Parkton; a nephew, Calvin Koonce, Jr. of Fayetteville; and a niece, Marilyn Koonce of Murrells Inlet, SC.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the NC Agricultural Foundation in support of the William & Glenda Johnson Graduate Engineering Fellowship Stipend Endowment and mailed to Campus Box 7645, NC State, Raleigh NC 27695-7645.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Rex Hospital and Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, and to the loving support of countless family, friends and clergy.

Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 300 Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605. www.brownwynne.com