The oldest of five children, Wilton was born on January 28, 1920 to Dewey and Ella Molberg Johnson in New Sweden, Texas (near Elgin).
Wilton was predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Marjorie Dudley and Genevieve Fisher; his first wife, (of 56 years) Norene Wood Johnson; his second wife, (of almost 15 years) Bertie Weir Johnson; and his son-in-law, Don Mills.
Wilton and Norene had four children who survive their parents, Linda Mills, Tom Johnson and his wife Lynda, Gary Johnson and his wife Judy, and Kerri Garcia and her husband Gil, all living in the Austin/Cedar Park area. Wilton’s brother, Stanley Johnson of Elgin and sister, Geraldine (Gerry) Hadley of Ft. Worth, also survive. Wilton’s grandchildren, who will miss him dearly, are Lisa Monti, Gina Alvis, Todd Johnson, Craig Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Angela Roush, Michael Johnson, Tyler Garcia, Natalie Garcia, and Kyle Garcia. There are 11 great-grandchildren surviving.
Wilton grew up in Austin, living on Bellevue Avenue, and he and his friends would roller skate downtown to the State Capitol and UT area. He would swim in Ramsey Park, Deep Eddie, and Barton Springs. His family was a close one and they loved to sing songs and have picnics on Sunday nights in Zilker Park. Wilton enjoyed traveling and he and Norene took the children on long vacations throughout the Western United States and Canada. Colorado was a favorite destination. The family also vacationed in Mexico traveling as far as Mexico City. Wilton and Norene were members of a 42 Club and also members of local antique car clubs. Wilton loved cars. He was a collector and restorer of antique cars and had three of his own which he proudly drove in parades and on road tours. A favorite family gathering place was the lake home he owned on Lake LBJ where great homemade ice cream, watermelon, and lots of grilled hamburgers were served.
Wilton had left school while in junior high in order to work and help his family during the Depression years. His first job as a teenager was at Shipwash Grocery Store. He also had a paper route with 1500 customers in East Austin and the Govalle area. As a young married adult, he worked for Martin Linen Supply in San Antonio. Suddenly life changed with World War II and Wilton was drafted into the Army Air Corps where he proudly served our country. After the War, he owned and operated a Gulf Service Station at the corner of Barton Springs and South Lamar. He also worked on the construction of housing at Bergstrom Air Force Base. He was a building contractor for most of his career, handling various commercial and residential jobs, owning and running his own business doing remodeling and roofing work. He built several houses, including his primary residence at 5806 Woodview Avenue and the lake house on Lake LBJ.
Before going into business on his own, Wilton was a member of the Carpenter’s Union. He was also a Mason and served for many years as a Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts. He loved family gatherings, hunting and camping. He especially loved camping at the lake and the “Blue Hole” in Wimberley.
Wilton was baptized into the faith at First Evangelical Free Church. He was a charter member of Central Baptist Church (later known as Allandale Baptist and Great Hills Baptist). After his marriage to Bertie, he worshipped with her at Ridgetop Baptist Church.
Wilton suffered from Macular Degeneration and was legally blind for almost 20 years but it didn’t stop him from enjoying life to the fullest. Following his death, we are certain his vision is now 20/20 in heaven! Praise God!
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 and the funeral service will be held at 10:00a.m. on Thursday, July 26, both at Cook Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. A reception luncheon to celebrate Wilton’s life will follow the service at the home of Tom and Lynda Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.
To leave memorial messages for Wilton’s family please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com
To all of Wilton’s family and friends, he leaves this world with these words: “I’m glad you got to see me.”
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