William "Bill" K. Johnston, 84, of Princeton, Texas, passed away on January 16, 2024, at Medical City Hospital in McKinney, Texas. He will be brought back to his hometown of Milford for burial.
Bill was born on November 30, 1939, to Harold "Bing" and Ila (Woodson) Johnston in Milford, Kansas. He grew up primarily in the Milford/ Junction City area and was raised with a strong Christian background. He used this background to raise his family, establishing him as a family man. The church responsible to help build his faith was First Christian Church in Junction City, Kansas, where he and his family still remain lifetime members. He honorably served his country for ten years in the U.S. Army National Guard. While in the guard, he operated different types of machinery which led to his lifetime career in construction. He began as a heavy equipment operator and later found himself as a highly accomplished and respected crane operator.
His background in the military and growing up in Kansas gave him a very strong work ethic. It was this work ethic that led him to Texas to help build up the Houston area in the '70s. It was his hard work and dedication to his craft that helped to build Houston, Texas. Living in Texas, he decided to make his roots for his family around the gulf coast. This is where the love of the beach comes from. After his construction years, he transitioned into trucking. Being the man he was, it was not long for him to be well known and respected in this field either. He then decided to move back to the mid-west in Noel, Missouri working construction. Bill and his loving wife, Helen made their final roots in Missouri by purchasing their forever home. A beautiful piece of property right on the Elk River. This home served as the whole family's meeting place. It hosted many family reunions, holiday parties, and of course their famous Easter egg hunts. Bill made sure to include the whole family with his passion of racing, whether it was watching the National Circuit on T.V. or working on the racecars themselves. His family and friends will miss him dearly and always remember the activities they did together, from the Chiefs games, to telling jokes, or riding motorcycles.
Bill is survived by his eight children, Elizabeth, Christine, Jackie, Doug, Deborah, Dodi, Angel, and Vivian; two brothers, Dale and Bob, and a host of other loving family and friends. He is preceded by his loving wife, Helen; two sons, Billy and Corky and two daughters, Diane and Dana.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to First Christian Church, 1429 St Mary's Rd, Junction City, KS 66441.
A visitation will take place at Johnson Funeral Home Saturday, January 27, 2024, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. A graveside service will immediately follow at Milford Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Ronnie Roberts.