Willard Johnson

WYOCENA – Willard A. “Bill” Johnson, age 95 a resident of Wyocena for over 63 years, died on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, after a short illness. He was born on Sept. 30, 1911 in the Township of Otsego, the son of Ole and Ida (Schmidtke) Johnson. Willard grew up in Hampden Township and graduated from Rio High School in 1930. As a young man, he loved singing and was a member of both church and school choirs. Willard married Hazel Armstrong on Jan. 15, 1934, and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage. In his earlier years, Willard was employed by the Columbia County Highway Department, doing road construction and maintenance. He was later employed as a heavy equipment operator at the Badger Ordinance plant in Baraboo, Manley Sand and Gravel Co., Portage, and The Ben Handler Co., in Bay City, Mich. In 1945, Willard became employed as a P & H crane operator for L.S. Lunder of Madison. He dug basements for many buildings in the Madison area, both on and near the Square and UW Campus. Later he worked for Construction Supply Company, as plant supervisor of the asphalt plant on Reiner Road. Willard was a proud member of Operating Engineers, Local #139 for over 50 years. Following his retirement in 1975, Willard enjoyed the outdoors, spending much of his time hunting, fishing, and maintaining a large garden. He also enjoyed purchasing and repairing damaged vehicles for resale. Willard was a Cub fan his entire life. Willard is survived by three sons, Orrin, of Pardeeville, Dennis “Shorty”, of Columbus, and Allan (Cathy), of Delavan; two daughters, Lenore (Don) Manthey, of Sun Prairie, and Joyce Stockwell, of Waukegan, Ill.; 15 grandchildren, William, Jeffrey, Scott (Katrena) and Daniel Johnson, Dennis (Cindy) Manthey, Jean (Brian) Paul, Joyce (John) Banach, Randy (Cheryl) Stockwell, Lynne Stockwell, Edith May, Eric and Aaron Johnson, Amy (Mike) Rynearson, Justin (Jessie) Johnson and Brian Johnson; 18 great grandchildren; two great-great grandsons; two sisters-in-law, Betty Armstrong, of Rockford, Ill., and Midge Johnson, of Ocean Springs, Miss., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son William A. Johnson, a granddaughter, Stacey Ann Johnson, a great-great grandson, Dion Bell, Jr.; two brothers, Alvin and Roger; three sisters, Mabel Gannon, Esther Retrum and Pearl Hanson, as well as two sisters and a brother in infancy. A memorial service will be held at the SPRING PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, corner of County Hwy’s C & DM in Keyeser, on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Sylvia Lee-Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Willard lived his life to the fullest, on his own terms. Pa, it’s been a great ride! We love you and will miss you very much!