William "Bill" Russel Johnson

William Russel Johnson, age 82, affectionately known as “Wild Bill”, peacefully passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease on August 14, 2017, in Jacksonville, Florida. Bill was born on January 12, 1935, in Elizabeth City, New Jersey, to Frank and Catherine Johnson. He graduated in 1953 from Rahway High School located in Rahway, New Jersey where he ran track and played baseball for his high school; Bill was very proud of his 318 batting average. Later Bill graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, in 1957. Bill served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy as a Main Engineering Officer aboard aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte. Bill worked in the engineering field for over forty years and retired in 2000. He attended Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church and was a member of the Jacksonville Exchange Club and the Jacksonville School of Bridge. He enjoyed golf, tennis, travel, dancing, bridge, and especially boating. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend; he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Catherine Johnson and brother Frank Everett Johnson, Jr. He is survived by his loving and faithful wife of 32 years Dorothy Whitesides Johnson; one son James Forrest Johnson; three daughters Bonnie Holod, Beth Maurer, and Maria Smith; three brothers Robert Alan Johnson, Russell Johnson, and Edward Johnson; grandchildren Elianna Holod, Casimir Holod, Melody Litwin, Turner Mangum; and great-grandchildren Powell Smith, and Matthew Litwin.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, September 3, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Phifer Circle of Oakwood Cemetery, 471 Church Street, Concord, North Carolina 28025. A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Wilkinson's Funeral Home, 100 Branchview Drive NE, Concord, North Carolina 28025.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation in memory of Bill.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK AND FUNERAL HOME, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, is serving the family locally in Jacksonville, Florida.