William L. Johnson

William L. Johnson passed from this life Wednesday, April 24, 2019. He was born April 14, 1934 in Topeka Kansas to Raymond and Inez Johnson.

After a long and fierce battle with an autoimmune disorder and a fight against cancer his struggle ended early morning April 24.

Bill as everyone called him was a graduate of Washburn University, Topeka. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Was President of the Student Body and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

He was married just over 63 years to Martha Stukey. They had six children Jeffery Mark (DeeAnn) Colorado Springs, Kelly Johnson Torrez (Robert), Berthoud Colorado, Lori Johnson Ruppert, (Joe) Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, Jennifer Johnson Fritchell (Ron) Denver, Rebecca Johnson Edwards (Scott), and William L. Johnson ll (Dennise) Ogden, Utah.  As well as several nieces and nephews.

He was a lifelong newspaper man. He started his career at Topeka Capital Journal, Topeka, Kansas where he became a Classified Advertising Manager. From there the family moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1968. He was the Operations Director of Lehman Communications until 1985. They moved to Ogden, Utah in 1985 and he became Manager of the Ogden Standard Examiner. In 1991 Martha and Bill moved to Albuquerque, NM where he was named General Manager of the Albuquerque Journal. After three years he decided it was time to retire. After a few months of this he unretired and began a career with the New Mexico Press Association which he continued for several years. He worked with and for all the smaller daily papers of New Mexico.

He was an avid golfer and loved to play golf. He loved people and interacting with them. His philosophy was to encourage and help people to be their best. People were the most important thing in life. William always had a smile and an uplifting word. William’s hobby in a way was shopping, he made daily shopping trips and contact with people were the highlights of his day. He loved his family and loved being surrounded by them. Greatly loved and admired by all he touched. His last two months were in a hospital setting but the staff all loved him. Cared for him. Cried for him. This man blessed all of us.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and by his sister Carole Johnson Stone and her husband Larry. He is survived by his wife; six children and their spouses; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother and sister in law Mark Stukey and wife Loretta.

A Service of Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 8, at St. John’s United Methodist Church on Arizona and Phoenix streets. Service time will be at 11 a.m. with a Reception to follow.