William (Bill) Johnson was the beloved patriarch of the Johnson family who have lived in California for seven generations. Born in Stockton, Bill lived all ninety four years of his life on the family property east of Stockton on Highway 26. After attending Glenwood Elementary School and Stockton High School, he graduated from College of the Pacific where he played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corp to fight in World War II. Bill was shipped to the Pacific where he served as an ordinance officer on Ulithi Atoll. Returning home, he started his family and began his career as an educator. He married his wife Donna May Gillette, soon to be Donna May Johnson in a blizzard in Minnesota. Their partnership lasted for sixty two years until she passed away in 2012. He earned his teaching credential from COP on the GI bill. For most of his forty two years in teaching, he worked for the Manteca Unified School District as a teacher and finally as a principal for Sequoia Elementary School. He prided himself on knowing the first name of every child in Sequoia calling them by name whenever he saw them. Bill and Donna May were valued members of the Linden United Methodist Church serving in many capacities from Board Member to amateur repair man. He enjoyed Sunday worship, Bible study, senior luncheons, and church picnics.
Bill loved California and his roots in the state. He treasured the natural beauty of the Sierras with annual camping trips and fishing trips opening weekend at Beaver Creek. He enjoyed the bright lights of San Francisco, Giants games, and convention adventures in San Diego. He valued family gatherings and could often be seen presiding over a packed dinner table full of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, telling jokes and ordering everyone around good-naturedly. Bill believed in being there for his family, and he always was. He kept track of the lives of everyone in the ever-expanding Johnson clan and was ready with questions and observations whenever he saw them. Bill Johnson was the rock on which a thriving legacy was built. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by three children - Jan Kissee(Jim), Jeanne Bauer, and Doug Johnson; seven grandchildren - Jennifer Baley(Randall), James Kissee III(Amber), Amanda Bauer, Michelle Bauer Bergoch(Joe), Alicia Powell(Shane), Karissa Bauer and Lindsay Johnson(Michael Howard); and eleven great grandchildren and counting - Briea Baley, Beau Baley, Ella Baley, Creek Kissee, Ciean Kissee, Alani Kissee, James Kissee IV, Kylie Powell, Kiera Powell, Mia Powell, and Aedan Bergoch. Bill is also survived by his older brother, Leo Johnson.
A viewing will be held at Frisbie-Warren & Carroll Mortuary, 809 N. California St., Stockton, CA on Tuesday evening September 8, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The internment service will be at Stockton Rural Cemetery,2350 Cemetery Ln, Stockton, CA at 11:00 AM on Wednesday September 9.
A Memorial service will be held at Linden United Methodist Church, 19147 E. Highway 26, Linden , CA on Sunday November 29, at Noon. Donations may be made to the Linden United Methodist Church in Bill's honor.
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