|
From:
Chris Johnson <cmjohnson@cfl.rr.com>
To: JThomas927@aol.com
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:59:08 -0500
Subject: Lt. Colonel William M. Johnson, Jr has flown to his
final destination.
Greetings.
It is my duty to inform you of the passing of a retired
member of the 55th, my father, Lt. Colonel William Madison
Johnson, Jr.
More detailed information regarding his assignments shall be
provided to
you if you wish.
Colonel Johnson spent 6000 of his 8000 flying hours in
RC-and KC-135s, achieved Command Pilot status quickly, and
flew more than 100 Combat Apple missions while based out of
Kadena AFB. He was a remarkably proficient and masterful
pilot, particularly on instruments, which was his favorite
way to fly. "When the windows are useless, that's when I
like flying best" is something he
might have said. When assigned to Offutt AFB, his post was
chief of the stand/eval board for the 55th if my information
is correct.
He retired in 1975 and moved to Florida, doing exactly what
he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it. He lived very
comfortably and his family ties were and
remain very strong.
Chris Johnson
cmjohnson@cfl.rr.com
*******************************************************************************************
OBIT:
William
Madison Johnson, Jr. died peacefully Saturday, March
1, 2008 in the company of those who loved him most.
Bill was born on November 25, 1930 in Danville, Virginia to
William Madison Johnson, Sr. and Irene Georgie Robertson
Johnson (both deceased). He enlisted in the
United States
Air Force on September 5, 1950. He entered the USAF
Aviation Cadet training program, (Class of 54-E) in 1953 and
was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on March 15, 1954, as a
fully qualified pilot. He was a pilot for his
entire career from this point forward.
His various assignments
included Maxwell AFB,
AL, Lockbourne AFB, OH,
K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mi, Kadena AFB, Okinawa,
Shemya AFB, AK, and Offutt AFB, NE, with many TDY
assignments to various parts of the world.
He acquired a total of 8000 hours of flying time, including
more than 100 Combat Apple flying missions during the
Vietnam War. His awards include the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air
Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force
Commendation with one Cluster, the Air Force Presidential
Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal, and nine lesser
awards and citations. He retired in
1975 from Offutt AFB, NE, having attained the rank of Lt.
Colonel. Flying was his vocation, avocation, and
passion.
After his retirement, he
became a student, a deep sea diver, a golfer, an
accomplished
craftsman in wood and metal,
and, among other interests, a builder of telescopes.
In his spare time he earned
three associate's degrees.
He was a member of the Patrick
Air Force Base Officer's Club, the Daedalians, Manatee Cove
Golf Club, MOAA, The Space
Coast Wine Guild, and the Brevard Art Museum.
He is survived by
his wife of 51 years, Jeanne Painter Johnson, sons William
Madison Johnson III,(wife Jeanine), of Glenwood, MN,
David Painter Johnson (Fiancée' Marcia Steffen) of
DeLand, FL,Christopher Matthew Johnson of Satellite
Beach, and grandchildren Sandra Mecham, Edward
Johnson, Nicholas (Nick 1) Johnson, Amy Johnson,
Joseph Johnson, Nicholas (Nick 2) Johnson, two
great-grandchildren, Tony Mecham and Ava Johnson, his
sisters Lorene Schoales of
San Diego,
CA, and Christine Stone, of
Viera,
FL, and his Beautiful Dog,
Sarah.
He is greatly
loved, admired, respected, and missed.
"The bugler's notes are
calling
Sleep on, thou soul so brave.
Your taps sadly sounding
above your Airman's grave"
Calling hours will be from 6
PM to 8 PM on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Beach Funeral
Home, East Chapel, 1689 South Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach, FL,
with services the following morning at 9 AM at the same
location. Burial will be
afterward at Florida
National
Cemetery,
Bushnell,
Florida.
You may make donations to the
American Cancer Society or as you choose,
or send flowers to someone you
love.
*****************************************************************
|
