John William Johnson

John William Johnson, 84, died at his daughter's home in Austin, Texas on Monday, February 16, 2009. He was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on October 6, 1924 to Jay and Marguerite Rose Johnson. He graduated from Sheridan High in 1942. He served in World War II in the 273rd Infantry from 1943-1946. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and then obtained a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. He spent his career with Shell Chemical Company, moving his family across the country several times with other Shell families and settled in Houston. While working in New Jersey, he was elected as a member of the Woodbury Heights School Board. He grew up in a log cabin with six children and no running water, survived the Depression, and retained a lifelong frugal streak and commitment to hard work, loyalty, and honesty. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren and was always happiest trout fishing in Wyoming. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dottie Larsen (1976), and his second wife, Sylvia Byler. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Janis Johnson, his brother, Harry, and his sisters, Barbara Burkhardt and Anna Wyatt. Survivors include his children, D'Ann Johnson (Alan Pogue) of Austin and Douglas Johnson of St. Petersburg, Florida, step-children Suzanne Meehan and Charles Byler, brothers Charley Johnson of Las Vegas and George Johnson of Sheridan. His grandchildren include: Angie Karr of Bryan, Dustin Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sean McMurrey and Kate Kelly of Austin and step-grandchildren Ray McMurrey of Corpus Christi, Charlie McMurrey of Billings, Montana, Robert and Michelle Bearnth and Julie and Kelly Byler of Houston, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He will be interred next to his beloved Dottie in the Powell, Wyoming City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to D'Ann Johnson, 1604 E 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78702.