William Burnell “Wallboard” Johnson – 92 – of 48 Scott St., Hornell, passed away on Tuesday (May 20, 2014) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a brief illness.
Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania on March 22, 1922, he was a son of Hugh F. and Florence (Disney) Johnson.
Bill grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1941). He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Coast Guard from 1942 – 1945 in the Asia-Pacific Theater of War. He was employed for 42 years at the Erie Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad, the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, retiring as an engineer from the Delaware and Hudson Railroad in 1983.
He was married on December 7, 1946 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church to the former Doris McKee who died on January 27, 1989. Together they owned and operated Terry’s Tavern in Hornell for 13 years.
Bill was one of the original parishioners of St. Ignatius Loyola Church. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, the Arthur Cunningham Post of the American Legion, the J. J. Mooney Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Hornell Association and a 48 year member of the Hornell Elks Lodge # 364.
Bill had a deep love for his family, and took great joy in all family events and activities. He loved watching his sons and later his grandchildren participate in sports, musical and dance events. He was an avid golfer and a charter member of Twin Hickory Golf Club.
Wallboard also had a deep love for the Hornell Community and a great passion for the history of Hornell. He was one of the oldest & most devoted fan of the Hornell Red Raiders and an avid Kentucky Basketball and Notre Dame Football fan.
He dearly loved his longhaired miniature dachshund Norman, who accompanied him everywhere. He later adopted his ginger cat, Sassy Boy.
In addition to his wife, Doris, Bill was predeceased by ten siblings, Elizabeth Newman, Frances “Saunce” Johnson, Robert Johnson, Fred Johnson, Almeda Perkins, Stella Smith, Eileen Johnson, Leo Johnson, Florence Egger, and Ronald Johnson; his former daughter-in-law, Susan J. Johnson.
He is survived by his sons William B. (Gail) Johnson Jr.; Greggery H. (Elizabeth) Johnson; and Jeffery H. (Carla) Johnson, all of Hornell; his dear fiancée of 22 years, Arlene Huff Dennis of Hornell; seven grandchildren, Vanessa (Daniel) Spitulnik, Jaime (Scott) Milanovich, Keegan (Timothy) Manchester, Matthew (Amanda) Johnson, Erica (Joseph) Saliceti, Kyle (Brittney) Johnson, and Kurt Johnson; eleven great-grandchildren, Myer, Vivianne, and JaneEllen Spitulnik; Anna and Katherine Manchester; Macall and Maggie Milanovich; Will, Luke, and Madelynn Johnson and Vincent Saliceti, and many nieces and nephews of the Johnson and McKee Families.
The family of William B. “Wallboard” Johnson will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Bill’s family request that memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Hornell YMCA, Music & Arts Center, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a form.
In recognition of Bill’s service to his country during WWII, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.
Your father will be dearly missed, but I’m sure there’s a bunch of Flanagans in Heaven who are happy to see him. He was a good man and I always enjoyed shootin the breeze with him. May he Rest in Peace.
What a great man with many interesting stories. I loved to sit on Wallboards porch talking about life events and Wallboards stories about his life. A true gentleman, and very kind. He was always donating close to my boys. He always thought about others. He was such a great man that I see the kindness, and thoughtfulness in his boys. He will truly be missed in out neighborhood. What a great man with a story for any occasion. Rest in Peace my friend.
Peace, Wallboard.
We are sorry and our condolence’s to the family. Wallboard we have had so many good memories. I wish that we could have met one more time but life has brought us to different parts of the world. We will miss you and pray that someday we will meet and continue with some more memories.
Thinking of the Johnson family….so sorry to read that Mr. Johnson had passed away. We just saw him in April at JC’s one evening with Dr. Argentieri..and we all had a great visit. I remember my Uncle Bob
(Q-Ball) taking me to Terry’s Tavern for a coke..when I was little. What a great man, he was and he will always be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him. Sympathy and love to the family……….. God bless
One of the kindest, gentlest men I have ever known…Rest in Peace, Mr. Johnson. Your wonderful spirit lives on through all those you loved. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Johnson family.
My sincere condolences to the Johnson family on the loss of “wallboard”. I worked with him for many years, drank beer at Terry’s with him many mornings after work and enjoyed his sense of humor immensely . Hornell will be less because of his passing, Red Raider sports has lost a super fan and I a friend.Hy
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your Dad. So sorry for your loss.
Bill was a wonderful man and our family was so glad he came in to our “Aunt” Arlene’s life. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
To the Johnson Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Wallboard was a great man and wonderful neighbor and a true example of how a life should be lived. He will be missed, not only in our neighborhood, but by all of Hornell. One of the good ones was taken from us all.
RIP my friend
To the Johnson family,
The world is a much sadder place with the passing of your dad. I will never forget the day I met both he and your mom and 40 years later I still think he was one of the kindest men I ever knew. The pride and love he had for his family and community was touching. May he rest in peace and maybe he and my dad are telling some railroad stories.
Our family’s long-distance condolences to all of The Johnson Family, especially to my lifelong buddies Gregg’s, Jeff’s, and big brother Billy’s Families.
Hornell, but especially The 5th Ward, is without one of our generational foundation building blocks. I am heartened he and Mrs. Johnson (She was ALWAYS Mrs. Johnson to me.) Raised three such fine men to continue their loving, neighborly examples.
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O LORD.
And Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him.
I will offer my tomorrow morning Mass and Communion up for the repose of “Mr. Johnson”‘s (He was ALWAYS Mr. Johnson to me.) Soul.
Billy, Jeff & Gregg,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Wallboard was one of a kind and I enjoyed working with him over the years. He never failed to relate a story or two of past experiences and kept me in stitches.
Bernie
The world has lost a very special man. We are so sorry for you loss. May he rest in peace.