William Johnson, Jr.

At 91, the last grain of sand finally ran out of the top of my hour glass, and with it, my time on earth is finished.  Do not shed a tear; I did it all, or at least all I wanted to do.  I accomplished more than I thought I ever could.  I have traveled the world and seen all the best places.  I had a family that loved me and each other.  I was the president of nine community organizations.  One of my ideas for a lighting fixture was patented.  I wrote several novels and hit a lot of golf balls well.  Most of all I enjoyed my life to the absolute fullest.

My greatest treasure is my wife Margaret Ann Johnson, who made my life heaven on earth.  Her beauty, intelligence, generosity and encouragement inspired me to accomplish everything I did in our married life.  I am greatly loved by my two wonderful children, Lynn Dee Johnson, J.D. and Mark Alan Johnson.  I am also survived by my grandson Christopher William and his wife Laura.  I leave Margaret’s son, Col. Kris Durham and his wife Patricia, along with the pride of the Durham family, their son, Benjamin Logan.

I was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1925 to the greatest possible parents, William and Edith Johnson.  The only parents on record, whose three children each thought they were the favorite child.  My beautiful sister Shirley Elizabeth O’Hara passed away in 2000.  My brother and best friend, Ronald Mark Johnson, lives in Rhode Island with his wife Shirley.

When I graduated from Pawtucket East High School, in 1943, I was already in the United States Navy.  I served two and a half years in the South Pacific and was in three battles.  That experience made me a life-long patriot.

After the war I went to Bryant University in Providence and graduated in two years with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.  My working career began with Eastern Airlines.  I evolved into a lighting expert employed by General Electric, Westinghouse and Philips.  After I retired, I continued my interest in lighting by serving as the Regional Vice President of the Illuminating Engineering Society.

Retirement allowed Margaret and me to travel extensively in the United States and the world.  Golfing was one of the passions I perused in my travels.  We played some of the best golf courses in the country.  My golfing highlights were the great friends I made on the course and the games I played with Margaret.  My victories consisted of a few rounds under par, three holes in one and shooting under my age at 82!

          When I retired I had the time to do the writing I always wanted to do.  My life changing encounter with Eleanor Roosevelt, when I was a ticket agent for Eastern, was published on the Roosevelt Library web page.  Writing four novels in my latter years gave me a creative outlet for my imagination.  I had the pleasure of writing a children’s book and reading it to 1,500 school kids all around Chattanooga.

I have one regret.  I will never be able to spend another day with my buddy, pal and sweetheart, Margaret.  She made life worth living.  I’ll miss her.  There will be no memorial, no visitation and no sadness as I have already been cremated.  If you care to make a donation, both my church Christ United Methodist, and Hospice of Chattanooga helped me immensely.  I will be interred in the National Cemetery.  Enjoy yourselves NOW, your turn is coming. 

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