William "Bill" Johnson

October 23, 1941 - October 14, 2021

William Johnson, 79, Topeka, Kansas, went to be with the Lord on October 14, 2021. He passed at home, surrounded by his loving family, and the prayers of many whose lives he touched, simply through the act of being the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Bill was born on October 23, 1941, to Norman and Gladys Woody Johnson. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1959 and joined the United States Marines upon graduation. He served his country until his discharge in 1963. Bill was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 33 years, retiring in 1997. He was a baseball coach for 12 years, Vice President and President of the Ken Berry League where his sons first played baseball. At the age of 47, Bill underwent open heart surgery and throughout his life fought bravely and valiantly against the ravishes of heart disease, until the battle became too great. Bill and his wife, Betty, weren’t just husband and wife for 57 years, they were a part of each other, finishing each other sentences and mirroring each other’s thoughts not spoken. When one could not recall a name or incident, the other would fill in the spaces. It was a marriage that God could call good and one that I have no doubt He was pleased with. Bill had a wonderful sense of humor. His warm brown eyes would twinkle when he heard the rustle of a candy wrapper from at least 10 yards away. His eyes sparkled at being called dad, pops, papa and grandpa. He took great pride in his 12 grandchildren: Taylor, Morgan, Hayley, Kirsten, Saxton, Chelbe, Kaicee, Trevor, Blake, Paige, Arden, and Vivian. He could be seen in the stands and bleachers and on the sidelines of nearly every one of his children’s and grandchildren’s events. In his younger years, Bill enjoyed bowling and loved spending leisurely days in a fishing boat. He was always the “on call” rescuer and taxi whenever his family needed him. When Bill wasn’t watching his grandchildren’s sporting and school events, he was yelling at the TV as the Chiefs or Royals played. Without him on this earth to call the holding or traveling situations from his recliner, college and professional sports would likely have turned into sheer anarchy. Bill enjoyed having coffee with the “boys” at McDonalds and during the Covid outbreak, they each brought their own lawn chairs and sat outside visiting with each other. He looked forward to playing cards with his pitch buddies each week, but the threat of Covid brought a standstill to that weekly event. Bill was cared for by so many incredible doctors, nurses, health aids, and advocates during his illness, many he knew before he needed their medical services. Their love and compassion were evident in their care for him and the time they spent assuring his family. Bill is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Pam (Dale) Stanley; sons, Steve (Kerry), Boone, and Mark (Nicole) Johnson. He is also survived by his four sisters who loved him dearly, Kay Summers, Sheryl Cairns, Teri Goodrich, and Staci Schill, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A parish rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, where Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Inurnment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Boys and Girls Club and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.