While the name “Bill Johnson” may be one of the most ordinary names in the world, OUR Bill Johnson was anything but ordinary. He was one of the most extraordinary men we ever knew. He departed this world for his Heavenly home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Heaven is a place that Bill spoke of frequently, and Jesus is a Savior that Bill loved deeply. He was devoted to his Lord, his family, his friends, and was kind and gracious to everyone he met. He loved to make people smile, he loved watching westerns and football, and he loved to joke around. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He was born Billy Earl Johnson, on January 2, 1930; making him the “New Year's Baby” for both the year 1930 and the decade of the 1930s. He was raised in Sand Springs and had a group of close friends, known collectively as “The Cruds.” Bill was the last remaining “Crud” and the group remained lifelong friends. Bill graduated from Charles Page High School in 1948, where he excelled on the football field; earning a scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. After one year of college, he relocated to Wyoming where he worked several different jobs, most notably as an equipment mechanic in the uranium mines and oil rigs. While in Thermopolis, Wyoming he met a beautiful young waitress named Betty Dole, whom he promptly married two weeks later. Their marriage lasted 35 years, until she preceded him in death in 1985.
Bill served in the United States Army for three years and was scheduled to deploy for combat duty during the Korean War. However, at the last minute, because of his mechanical skills, he was assigned to the motor pool at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Although Bill was raised by devout Christian parents, he did not become a true follower of Christ until he heard the gospel from an Army chaplain. It was at that moment that he testified that the Lord touched his heart and changed him forever. In God's providence, his wife Betty was also led to faith around the same time while staying with Bill's mother in Sand Springs. Bill and Betty were both baptized at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas; and were longtime members of Broadway Baptist Church in Sand Springs.
After being discharged from the Army, Bill and Betty moved back to the Northwest, where he lived and worked in several different places; including Wyoming and Washington. They eventually moved back to Sand Springs where he worked 30 years as a maintenance mechanic for Sheffield Steel Company, retiring in 1992 at the age of 62. Bill's father passed away at the age of 65, so Bill assumed he would do likewise and wanted to enjoy three years of retirement before he passed. But in accordance with God's gracious providence, Bill enjoyed 29 years of retirement instead. During those years he continued to visit Montana on a regular basis, where two of his children eventually settled. Bill loved to hunt, fish, camp, and spend time with his family. He was blessed with incredible mechanical skills and could fix just about anything that was broken. Although he considered entering the ministry as a young man, he eventually concluded that God wanted to use him in other ways. He served as a deacon for many years at Broadway Baptist Church; and had a special place in his heart for helping those in need; often fixing broken heaters, air conditioners, and cars for widows.
In 1989, Bill once again married, this time to a close friend named Sandy Pounder. What began as a close friendship blossomed into a deep love; and they were happily married until she preceded him in death in 2010. Although he was brokenhearted at the loss of yet another wife, Bill's amazing faith in God and his resilient character carried him through. He continued to be a blessing to all who knew him, until the Lord saw fit to call him home.
Survivors include the following. One son, Bill Johnson Jr. of Dillon, MT; two daughters, Jackie Selph (and husband Jack) of Sand Springs; and Jody Marks (and husband Gary) of Belgrade, MT. His grandchildren include: Erin Kastler (and husband Shane), Casey Selph (and wife Kayla), Robbie Selph (and wife Denisa), Billy Johnson III (and wife Jessica), Lyndsay Winchester (and husband Ian), Chad Marks (and wife Kayla), and Jared Marks. Great grandchildren include: Andrew, Savannah, and Karissa Kastler; Tanner, Denver, Toney, Kenna-Joy, Juliana, Laurel, Caroline, Meredith, and Joel Selph. Harper, Rohan, and Axel Winchester. Jaycee and Billy Johnson IV; and Soren and Rori Marks.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lucy Johnson; and by all of his siblings: Jim, Carl, Margret, and Mary; and by his first wife Betty and second wife Sandy.
Bill lived a long and incredible life on earth. He worked hard, enjoyed life, and loved people deeply. Every morning you could find him reading his Bible at the kitchen table, and every night you could hear him praying aloud in his room before going to bed. Today, he has finally reached the destination that he spoke of for so many years. He would frequently say, with a smile on his face, “I've already got my ticket punched for Heaven, and it didn't cost me a dime! Jesus paid the price.” Today he sees Jesus face to face; and though his loved ones will miss him deeply, we too rejoice in Bill's present state of glory and look forward with longing expectation to the time when we too will see Jesus; and once again hug grandpa, hear him say “I love you mosties”, and join him in worshiping the Lord forever, in a place where death will never separate or touch us again.
Bill's memorial service will be held at Broadway Baptist Church in Sand Springs, OK on Saturday, July 17 at 2 p.m.
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