Willis (Bill) B. Johnston

Johnston, Willis B. Willis B. Johnston, 89, passed away on the morning of March 19th, 2012. Bill was born in 1922 to Einer and Gertrude Johnston, the youngest of three sons. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Johnston, his children, David Johnston and Julie Groneman, and two grandchildren, Tara and Ian Groneman. He is preceded in death by both brothers, Otis and Glenn Johnston. Bill was born and reared in Butte, Montana, and graduated from Butte High School. He worked briefly in the copper mines to pay his way through college, but enlisted in the Navy during WWII. During the war, he patrolled the Atlantic in crash boats and was on his way to Japan for the planned invasion when the war was ended. He met his future wife, Dorothy, at Iowa State University where the Navy had housed him briefly before sending him on to Florida. They were married in 1944. After the war, Bill returned to school, earning his bachelor's, master's and PhD in chemistry at Montana State University. In 1958, he went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission. The AEC moved Bill and his family to Albuquerque in 1963 and he has lived in the Albuquerque area ever since. Though he retired in 1979, Bill continued to work as a consultant for the Department of Energy into the 1990s. Bill was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. He was very active in the communities he lived in and for many years he drove for both Meals on Wheels and Catholic Social Services in Albuquerque. He was also very active in the Boy Scouts. Bill was an avid hiker and speed skater and remained active and fit well into his 70s. He loved to stay busy and spent his spare time working on diesel engines or doing repairs around the house. He loved traveling with his wife and spending time with her at their cabin near Bluewater Lake. He was dearly loved by his family, friends, and kind caregivers, and will be greatly missed. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Willis's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87124 505-892-9920