Mr. William Sidney Johnson's Obituary
William Sidney Johnson was born on June 18, 1934, in Batesville, Mississippi. His parents were Sidney and Uvie Johnson. His grandparents were George and Minnie Johnson and Arthur and Hattie Land. Bill was proceeded in death by his sister, Clair Street of Memphis, Tennessee, and half-sister Margaret McKee of Mesquite, Texas. Bill is survived by half-sister, Cheryl Hamilton, and her husband Ancel, of Columbia, South Carolina, and Nephew Marcus McKee and wife Gena and their three children Macey, Spencer and Annie.
Bill married Ruth King on April 17, 1953 and enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Bill and Ruth had three sons: Jim Johnson of Plano, Texas, Keith Johnson and wife Stacey of Crandall, Texas, and Kevin Johnson and wife Julie also of Crandall, Texas. Bill loved and enjoyed his four grandchildren: Brad Johnson and wife Kelli of Forney, Texas, Sydney Johnson of Crandall, Texas, and Matthew and Nathan Johnson of Crandall, Texas. Bill was promoted to Great-Grandfather on August 30, 2018 with the arrival of Callaway Johnson, referred to as “Trouble” by his Great-Grandpa. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his great granddaughter, Beckett Kate Johnson in May.
Bill attended Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He joined the Army prior to graduation, and during his 10 years, he attained the rank of Sergeant and received his GED. Bill served during the Korean War and spent time at the 38th parallel, where he was a Defense Radio Technician. He received an Honorable Discharge from the US Army in December of 1963.
After his discharge, from the Army, Bill and Ruth settled in Mesquite, Texas, where they raised their three boys, and attended Mimosa Lane Baptist Church. Bill received his HAM Radio license, “wa5omi”, and during the Vietnam War he would spend long nights connecting soldiers in Vietnam with their families in the states. After his Army discharge, Bill was in the National Guard and worked at the Nike Missile Base, followed by LTV, and Southwestern Bell. He spent his time off enjoying family and friends.
In May of 1990, Bill and Ruth moved to Crandall, Texas, and joined Central Baptist Church. Bill retired from Southwestern Bell in 1992. After retirement, they purchased the first of many motorhomes and he and Ruth traveled the United States hitting all of the lower 48.
Bill enjoyed cutting the grass and admiring his work after he was finished. He didn’t consider himself to be a social person, but he enjoyed talking to many different people. He especially enjoyed guys who worked with their hands.
The most important thing to know about Bill is he gave his heart to Christ when he was 29 years old. He and his oldest son, Jim, were baptized on the same day, and he went home to be with his Lord on January 18, 2021.
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