Johnson, Willard O. 1915-2004

JOHNSON, WILCOX

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer
Date: 4/14/2007 at 20:46:24

ODEBOLT, Iowa -- Willard Orville "Bill" Johnson, 89, of Odebolt died Sunday, April 4, 2004, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church in Odebolt. Burial will be in Odebolt Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. by the Wheeler Masonic Lodge 398 A.F. & A.M. of Odebolt, at Farber and Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt.

Bill was born March 3, 1915, in Sioux City, the son of August F. and Rose Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Emmanuel English Lutheran Church in Akron, Iowa. He received his education in the Akron Public Schools.

He married Mildred Helen Wilcox in 1936. To this union a daughter, Lynda, was born. In 1938, they moved to Odebolt, where they spent the remainder of the lives. He owned and operated Bill's I.G.A. for many years. He was very active in the Odebolt community, serving as mayor and as a council member.

He was a member of Odebolt United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, the Odebolt Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years, the Consistory and Abu Bekr Shrine Temple.

Survivors include a son-in-law, Terry Newell of Larkspur, Calif.; three grandchildren, Whitney Grace Newell, Frederick Brewer Newell and Christian Johnson Newell, all of Larkspur; and extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen on Feb. 8, 1996; a daughter, Lynda Newell on Jan. 9, 1994; and a sister, Billie.

[Part of the Darrell Eason Obituary Collection; source:Sioux City Journal]