William Richard Johnston

He was born on August 17, 1942 In Detroit, Michigan to William Richard Johnston and Elizabeth Bezotte Johnston. He graduated from Central High School in South Haven, Michigan in 1960 and Central Michigan University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His education pursuits led him to also graduate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a Master of Public Administration in 1969, the University of Southern California with a Specialist in Care Administration in 1977 and Campbell University with a Doctorate in Education in 1990.

He proudly became a commissioned officer with the US Army in 1964 and attained the rank of Captain.

He was employed with the Federal Government for 35 years, the first four years of his career were with the Department of Defense. After his retirement from the federal government he taught for several universities which included the Central Michigan Southeast Region of continuing education for adults in the Master of Education degree program, Campbell University and the remaining years at Strayer University, Raleigh campus. He held several positions at Strayer including Full-time Professor, Associate Dean, and Department Chairman of the Public Administration Department. He had a passion for teaching and considered helping students and advising them with their Master’s degree thesis an honor. In his later years he worked for 28 years with the National Institutes of Health, the first seven years he was located at the Bethesda campus and his last years, before retirement, were with The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the Research Triangle Park.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years and high school sweetheart, Eileen Spratt Johnston; three daughters, Deborah Johnston Murphy and husband Daniel of Apex, Lisa Johnston of Cary and Lori Johnston Fryar and husband David of Cary.; four grandchildren, David Fryar Jr., Lucas Fryar, Leah Fryar and Rachel Fryar; his sister, Barbara Lager of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Thomas Johnston of Detroit, MI and Robert Johnston of Eau Claire, WA; two brother in laws, William Spratt of Holland, MI and Michael Spratt of Houston, TX, along with several nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday September 23 at 1:30 pm at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 804 Highhouse Road, Cary, NC. Inurnment will follow at the columbarium located on church grounds.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be forwarded to the charity of your choice in Mr. Johnston’s memory.

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