William Samuel Johnston 1885-1965

JOHNSTON, RUBEL, GARINGER, BURKET

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/9/2013 at 19:03:49

William S. Johnston Dies at 80
William S. Johnston, 80, prominent Estherville attorney for many years, died at 6:30 a.m. today at the Turner Nursing Home in Armstrong. Death was attributed to a heart condition. He had been in failing health for the past three years.

William Samuel Johnston was born Feb. 7, 1885, to Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Johnston at Manchester. He moved to Estherville with his parents in 1894 and received his grade and high school education in local schools.

He attended the State University of Iowa, 1904-1908, and graduated with a B.A. degree. He then spent three months in Europe doing research in economics and sociology.

Johnston received his L.L.D. in 1910 and a J.D. degree in 1925, both from the State University of Iowa.

He was married Nov. 7, 1915, to Geneva Rubel at Dubuque.

Johnston practiced law in Fort Dodge, 1910-1918, when he moved to Estherville. He practiced law here until three years ago, when he was forced to retire because of his health.

In his more than 50 years of practice, Johnston served four years as Emmet county attorney and two years as city attorney. He was president of the Emmet County Bar Association, as well as president of the Estherville Chamber Commerce and the City Planning commission.

He was Eminent Commander of the Knights Templar, and belonged to the Za-ga-zig Shrine of Sioux City. A member of the First Methodist Church, he was also on the official board of the church.

Surviving him are a son, James J. of Denver, Colo., who also is an attorney; two daughters, Mrs. G.A. (Margaret) Garinger of Denver, and Mrs. Dale (Elaine) Burket of Kansas City, Mo.; and six grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a 2 ½ year-old son, John Henry, and one brother.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Reese Funeral Home, Rev. William R. Noland officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery, where there will be Masonic graveside services.

Friends may call at the funeral home Monday after 9 a.m. until time of services Tuesday. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, September 3, 1965)