Billy Joe Johnson, the son of Oscar William and Gertrude Fern (Fahsler) Johnson, was born October 27, 1949, in Hamburg, Iowa. He attended the Rock Port, Missouri, and Tarkio, Missouri, schools. Bill enlisted in the United States Navy on January 12, 1968, and served his country on the United States Ship “Graffias” during the Vietnam War. Bill received his honorable discharge on October 15, 1969.

On May 2, 1970, Bill was united in marriage to Lyllis Ann Chaney in Rock Port. They became the parents of one son, Michael E., and Bill became the stepfather to Lyllis’ daughter, Pam. The family later moved to Tarkio. Lyllis passed away in 2009.

Bill was employed by the Tarkio City Street Department, Tri-City Concrete, Tarkio, Cargill Hyde Plant, Phelps City, Missouri, Zip-Stop truck stop and Trails End, both of Rock Port. Bill enjoyed playing bingo and slots at White Cloud Casino. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting. Bill passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, at the age of 70.

Besides his father and wife, Lyllis, Bill was preceded in death by son, Michael Johnson, and brother, Jerry Johnson. Survivors include his mother, Gertrude Johnson, Tarkio; brother, Ted (Sharon) Johnson, Farragut, Iowa; sisters, Shirley Schebaum, Farragut, and Barbara (Junior) Hines, Tarkio; stepdaughter, Pam (Joey) Corbin, Tarkio; daughter-in-law, Crystal Johnson, Elk Falls, Kansas; granddaughter, Amber Johnson, Elk Falls; and numerous other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Bill was held Thursday, December 5, 2019, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Interment was held at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Reverend Glenn Scott officiated. Military rites were under the auspices of Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to the Bill Johnson Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.