William C. "Bill" Johnson

William C. "Bill" Johnson, 85, died Saturday, March 3, 2012, at his home in Deerfield. He was born Jan. 1, 1927, to Burt and Ethel (Wise) Johnson. He was married Nov. 25, 1948, to Virginia Weber who survives. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Lester, Opal, Lawrence, Helen and Wilma.

Bill took pride in the fact that he owned the farm where he was born. He walked across the field to Shiloh School, graduated and went to Nevada High School, graduating in 1944. He enjoyed working in the FFA chapter and was a proud recipient of the State Farmer Degree. He spent his later years selling farms for a Fort Scott real estate agent, retiring in 1990.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years; two sons, Melvin Johnson and his wife, Ania, of Overland Park, Kan., Russell Johnson and his wife, Ronda, of Deerfield; five grandchildren, Marshall and Curtis Johnson, Reanna (Greg) Villagomez, Ronald and Rusty Johnson; great-granddaughter, Vanessa Johnson; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his many friends at the Deerfield Church of God (Holiness) and the Emery Truck Stop.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with the Rev. Bill Smith officiating. A private burial will follow in the Deerfield Cemetery.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home and the family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, between 1 and 2 p.m., prior to the funeral service.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the Deerfield Cemetery Trust Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

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