WILLIAM JOHNSON

William John Johnson (Bill) passed away peacefully on September 4, 2021, under the kind and loving care of Prairie Home Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice, in Menasha WI.

Bill was born in Wisconsin Rapids on November 11, 1944, son of Ben and Dorothy (Gibson) Johnson.  He grew up in Neenah WI, where he met the love of his life, Kathryn (Williams) – his beloved “Toots”. They married on February 8, 1964 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, and spent 53 wonderful years together, before his passing.   Bill lovingly cared for his Toots after she was diagnosed with dementia about 4 and a half years ago and kept her at home for as long as he could, until their health issues required them to be moved to assisted living.

Bill was an avid golfer and spent literally every summer day on the course, rain or shine.  He also loved to hunt and spent some of his happiest days in the woods, stalking deer or pheasant and turkey.  His son Steve took him on some amazing North Dakota hunts, where he met people that became life-long friends. He also treasured his time at “The Shack”, hunting and enjoying time with his friend Bob, and cold opening day mornings hunting with his son-in-law Todd in Wild Rose – where most of his time was spent back inside the cottage, warming himself by the fire with a hot cup of coffee.

Bill and Toots also enjoyed many casino trips with great friends over the years, and the two of them were always greeted by name at many of the local supper clubs, where they spent so much time out enjoying meals, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

Bill leaves behind his dear wife Kathy/Toots, and his children Suzanne (Todd) Wagner, and Steven (Julia) Johnson, his cherished grandchild, Kaitlyn Wagner, and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Patricia, Doreen, and Donald, and by his beloved daughter Shelly (Scott) Dunsirn.

In place of a funeral, Bill's children are hosting a Celebration of Life event on Saturday, October 23^rd , from 2pm to 6pm at Sidetracked Bar & Grill, 129 N. Lake Street, Neenah WI 54956.  Please join us to honor our dad and raise a glass to toast his love for life.  He packed a lot of living into the 77 years he had on this earth, and he did so with a smile, every single day.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people just exist.” – Oscar Wilde