Obituary of William Johnson

William Arthur Johnson, age 94, died peacefully due to natural causes on Wednesday morning December 8, 2010. He was a loving husband of Eileen Johnson. William was born on September 05, 1916 in Ione, California. He was son of the late William Arthur and Caroline (Martin) Johnson. He graduated at the top of his class from Sacramento High School in 1934. He had the privilege of returning for 75 class reunions. William proudly served his country in the Merchant Marines, during World War II sailing in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Middle East War Zone, later achieving the rank of Officer. He worked for the Post Office and later as a Truck Driver for over 40 years until he retired in 1979. He was an avid fisherman who loved the sea. After retirement, with an adventurous spirit, he enjoyed traveling all over the world with his wife. He cherished God and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially on his boat at Bodega Bay. He was very active in his children's lives, including Church, homework, cooking Sunday breakfast, Little League, bowling and Boy Scouts. He was a Boy Scout (Scouting having started the year he was born), later becoming a leader and having the honor of officiating the ceremony of his son becoming an Eagle Scout. He was a generous man, with a kind heart who enthusiastically lived life to the fullest, always smiling at everyone he met. All who knew him fell in love with his gentle nature and delighted in his stories of travel and lessons learned in life experiences. He considered his grandchildren and great grandchildren to be his greatest legacy. He loved dressing up as Santa Claus for them and children's hospitals at Christmastime. He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. He is lovingly survived by wife of 57 years, Eileen Johnson (Calimesa, CA), sons, David Johnson (Vacaville, CA), Dennis Johnson (Sacramento, CA), daughters, Karen Johnson-Hill and husband Greg (Laguna Hills, CA), Toni Johnson-Barragan and husband Ignacio (Yucaipa, CA), 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, predeceased by daughter, Carol Johnson-Carlson. Memorial Service to be held Monday, December 20, 2010 at the Assembly of God Church in Yucaipa, CA, Reverend Joel Vincent officiating. Celebration of life following at 950 California Street Clubhouse, Calimesa, CA. Graveside Service to be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:15pm in the afternoon.