Willard "Bill" Johnson's Obituary
Bill passed peacefully to his Lord Jesus after a short illness with his wife and best friend Nancy at his side. Bill was born in Rockford, Illinois to Willard and Loretta Johnson. He met the love of his life, Nancy, in Loves Park, Illinois. They were high school sweethearts and were married 61 wonderful years. His devotion, affection and respect for his wife was an example to all. After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and serving on active duty from 1956-1958, Bill was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California and then at Moffet Field. Bill and Nancy’s son, Tim, was born at Camp Pendleton’s Naval Hospital. He was always proud of his service to his country and of the U.S. Marine Corps. A Teamster for 39 1/2 years before retiring, Bill was a professional truck driver for Ryder Truck Lines in Illinois and then at Consolidated Freightways in Florida. Always active, Bill, though retired, decided he needed more to do, so he found a position as a custodian at Skyline Elementary School in Cape Coral. He was affectionately known as “Mr. Bill” by the students and staff and was loved by all. He re-retired from Lee County School District in 2014. Bill was a devoted father to his two sons, Tim and Todd, and to his daughter, Tracey. He was involved in Indian Guides and Boy Scouts and taking Tracey to dance lessons and recitals. He was most active in coaching youth baseball which reflected his love of the game along with his ability to mentor kids. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth with his son Todd in Rockford, Illinois. After moving to Florida in 1979, Bill volunteered to coach his grandson Shawn’s Minor B Team with the American League of Cape Coral. His team took the 1990 Championship. He later coached the Blue Jay’s Major Expansion Team and there his team won a championship for the Cape Coral American League and second place in the Lee County Championship. By this time, another grandson, Aaron, joined Bill’s team. Bill also had a special fondness for collegiate football and basketball. Besides his family, Bill loved the outdoors next. He enjoyed pheasant hunting with Nancy’s dad and brother. He also enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan and here in Southwest Florida. He loved to go camping and both Bill and Nancy told many stories about their entertaining camping adventures. Bill also loved boating with his family here in southwest Florida and particularly enjoyed participating in the Christmas Boat Parade on his beloved boat. Bill and Nancy also enjoyed yearly trips with their children and grandchildren to the Smokie Mountains to enjoy the fall beauty in the mountains. Bill had a great sense of humor and will always be remembered by his grandchildren, nieces and nephews for his teasing and jokes. He was a great dancer and together with Nancy, the two of them could really “cut a rug.” As with their life together, they were perfect dance partners, too. Bill had a very loving and accepting heart and would do anything to help others. He touched countless lives along his way to Heaven and was especially devoted to his family. All who knew Bill know he was a great guy who would give you the shirt off his back. Bill was saved at age 21 and baptized in Rockford, Illinois. During his recent health battle, he was able to have great talks with his son, Todd, and with Pastor Jim. Though Bill has gone to be with the Lord and though those who remain behind are grieving, it is also a time to celebrate and rejoice his wonderful life and know Bill is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, sons Tim (Susan) and Todd, daughter Tracey (Lenny) Cook, sister Ruth Todd, brother Gerald, grandchildren Matt Johnson, Ashley (Michael) Littlestone, Andrew (Tiffany) Johnson, Shawn (Becky) Cook, Aaron Cook, Brenton Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Demi Johnson, and Alec Johnson and three adorable great grandchildren, Aubrey, Lexi, and Mariah, sister-in-law Carol (Ed) Wolfe and brother-in-law Chris (Sally) Eickhorst, many adoring nieces and nephews, and his loving fur babies Hannah and Kenzie. Predeceased by his parents, Willard and Loretta (Culbertson) Johnson, brothers George and Dennis, and by his parents-in-law Cedric and Ruth Eickhorst.
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