William Earl Johnston III

William Earl Johnston III returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father when he passed at his home in Laguna Woods, CA on May 30, 2021. He was born May 2, 1931 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Cook County, IL to William Earl Johnston II and Helen La Verne Motulewicz. He lived with his parents in Chicago until he completed kindergarten and first grade. When he was about eight years old, his parents bought a 160-acre dairy farm near Huntley, IL next to his grandfather, William Earl Johnston I, and grandmother, Anna Matilda Christensen. The family leased an additional 160 acres and farmed a total of 320 acres. During this time, William (Bill) attended school in the village of Huntley with his sister, Carolyn Dean Johnston, who was two years younger. His brother, Charles Edward Johnston was born while the family lived on this farm. A few years later, the family moved to a smaller farm near Harvard, IL. He completed his remaining years of grammar school at the Cook School, which was a small one-room country school heated by a coal stove, where his teacher would prepare their lunches. After grammar school, he attended Harvard Community High School in Harvard, IL, receiving his diploma. On May 4, 1948, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy where he served until May 4, 1952. During this time, he served on two different ships on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Bill married Dona Charlene Lamb on November 25, 1950 in Greenwood, NE. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple, Logan, UT. To them were born three children, Teresa (Terri) Lynn Johnston, William (Bill) Earl Johnston IV, and Lisa Ann Johnston. During their marriage they lived in Lincoln NE, Downers Grove, IL, Omaha, NE, Glendale, AZ, Chatsworth, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, and Lenexa, KS. They were divorced in 1978.

Bill married Linda Ruth Nemecek on October 13, 1979 in Lenexa, KS. They were married 41 years residing in Lenexa KS, Salt Lake City, UT, Littleton, CO, Aliso Viejo, CA, and finally Laguna Woods, CA. Linda’s daughter, Dian Maresch Morton, became his beloved step-daughter.

Bill spent most of his career working in law enforcement. He worked as a motorcycle policeman for the Lincoln, NE Police Department, a Special Agent for the Burlington Northern Railroad, and an Investigator for Skaggs/Osco Drugs owned by American Stores. He also was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Douglas County, NE and worked as a security officer, after retirement, in his community.

Bill retired in 1996 and he and Linda resided in Laguna Woods, CA at Leisure World. He loved playing golf and played 3 or 4 times a week with a special set of buddies proudly wheeling around in his own golf cart. When he finally hung up the clubs a few years ago, he gave his golf clubs to his daughter, Terri, and she still plays with them to this day.

His most cherished sport was hunting with his son. They never missed opening day of pheasant season and enjoyed many deer, elk, javelina, turkey, and quail hunts together in various parts of the US. In August 2010, Bill’s son took him to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut. He described it as the trip of his lifetime and always wanted to return.

Bill was a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had an abiding testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He served in many church leadership positions working with the youth and as 2nd counselor in the bishopric.

Bill was determined to live a long life, eating healthy and working out regularly, even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His dear spouse, Linda, and his caregivers, Aidan and Vilma, gave him the best of care until the end of his life. We will forever be indebted to them for their love, compassion, and patient kindnesses.

Everyone who knew Bill described him as the most kind, sweet man they had ever known. This is his legacy to his children and grandchildren. His children will remember him telling them to always be honest and “if you’re going to do something, do it right”.

Bill is survived by his “sweetheart”, Linda Ruth Johnston; children, Teresa Slone (Robert), William Earl Johnston IV (Carrie), Lisa Ann Neely (Greg) and stepdaughter, Dian Morton; grandchildren, Shauna Stewart (Brian), Micah Fleming (Jenny), Kayle Maxfield (Jen), Rhett Iverson, Derek Stephenson (Sasha), Cara Solimeno (Robin), Kali Marconett (Adam), Kieran Joseph Elia, Kelly Andre (Mark), Kristi Kumpel (Gary), and Kendra Morton (Jason Peraza); great-grandchildren Kelsey Conway (Mark), Hunter Baker, Kaden Smith, Payson Smith, Jaxon Smith, Marco Cornejo, Cassandra Fleming, Mercedes Maxfield, Scarlett Maxfield, Ashlyn Maxfield, Lily Stephenson, Eli Stephenson, Ava Stephenson, Corbin Stephenson, Brady Stephenson, Aiden Marconett, Kaydance Marconett, Grace Kumpel, and Luke Andre. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Elizabeth Johnston and nieces Cathy Bliss, Lori Benzon, Kelly Weldon, and nephew Michael Johnston. He was predeceased by his parents, sister, brother, and grandchildren William Josef Johnston, Riley Schae Elia, and Gian Joseph Elia.

You will never be forgotten and always in our hearts. We love you so much.

You may honor Bill’s life by making a donation in his name to www.parkinson’s.org or www.michaeljfox.org.