William Byrd Johnson

William B. Johnson was reunited with his dear departed wife, Marjorie Ann Vincent Johnson, on Feb. 28, 2014, at the age of 83.

Bill was born Nov. 23, 1930, to a prominent farming family in Pullman. His childhood was not an easy one. His mother, Clara Thompson Johnson, died when he was just 3, his father, Arthur A. Johnson, when he was 7. His early struggles shaped the man he was to become in many ways. Bill met Marj while attending Washington State University and was a lifelong supporter of the Cougars! He was a proud member of the Lambda Chi fraternity.

After graduating from college, he married Marj on July 2, 1952, and they left for Mississippi, where Bill served in the Air Force. Upon returning to the Northwest, they went to work on the Clyde area farm with Marj’s parents, Henry and Mildred Vincent. Bill and Marj raised their two children on the farm and later generations also lived there.

He is survived by two children, daughter, Kay Lehmann of Kennewick; and son, Scott Johnson of Walla Walla. Bill also had five grandchildren, Jacob Johnson, Ellensburg, Patrick Bowe of Walla Walla, Curtis Johnson of Walla Walla, Megan Bowe of Astoria, Queens, N.Y., and Elie Johnson of Walla Walla; and three great-grandchildren, Keara and Ethan Jackson of Astoria, Queens, N.Y., and Riley Bowe of Walla Walla.

Sports were a true love of Bill’s. He avidly followed Cougar sports, attending both Rose Bowls and many of their other big games. He even flew on the team plane to games in Nebraska and elsewhere. He was a great bowler with a 263 average and a very good golfer. He rode his former racehorse Princess with the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers. Whatever the season, he enjoyed attending and watching sports. He took great pride in following the sporting careers of his children and grandchildren.

Leadership and community service were ideals by which Bill lived. In fact, nearly every organization in which he took part he held a leadership role. As a farmer, he was a past president of Northwest Grain Growers, Walla Walla Wheat Growers, Washington State Wheat Growers and was a Washington Wheat Commissioner. He presided over the Prescott Booster Club, Prescott Lions, Prescott School Board and upon moving to Walla Walla he was president of the Walla Walla Country Club. He was an active member of the Republican Party as a precinct and state committeeman.

Friends are invited to a time of remembrance at the Walla Walla Country Club from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014. Viewing is available at Herring Funeral Home on Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 12-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Washington State University Cougar Club or Alzheimer’s Association Inland Northwest Chapter through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla WA 99362.