Obituary of William Arthur Johnson

William Arthur Johnson (March 4, 1931-July 12, 2024)

Bucksport – William “Bill” Johnson, 93, of Bucksport, Maine, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024, after a lengthy battle with metastatic prostate cancer, severe aortic valve stenosis, and spinal stenosis. Bill was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Arthur J. Johnson and Essie M. (Snyder) Johnson on March 4, 1931. He grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa with his two siblings, Robert and Sally, having fun with cousins and extended family, and fishing adventures with his father.  Young Bill was a paperboy for the Omaha World Herald and would often regale us with a colorful tale about the day a topless woman answered the door as he delivered her newspaper.  Bill graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School (class of 1949) and then worked in the “sweet pickle” department of the Wilson Slaughterhouse in Omaha.

In December 1949, in the middle of a snowstorm, Bill left Council Bluffs, Iowa with his friend, “Boyd”, in a 1928 Model A, making it only as far as Yates Center, Kansas on that first day of their journey to California.  

Arriving in California, Bill took a job as a busboy and soda jerk at JJ Newberry’s, earning 90 cents per hour. 

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1950.  Due to a medical issue at the time of his Marine physical, Bill was instructed to wait for one year and report for duty at that time.  This was frustrating for Bill as he felt his life had been placed “on hold” for a year, being unable to proceed.  By 1951, the USMC deemed Bill healthy for service to his country during the Korean Conflict.  Bill was stationed stateside at Camp Pendleton near San Diego from 1951 through 1953 where he attained the “marksman” level for shooting his M1 rifle.  It was during this time that Bill had many “adventures” while on leave in Tiajuana.  He enjoyed retelling these colorful tales to the unsuspecting family member or friends whenever possible.  Body surfing at La Jolla, working out at Muscle Beach, partying at George’s Roundup near Long Beach while listening to Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All Stars were favorite pastimes.

On February 28, 1954, Bill married Kathleen “Kathy” O’Grady at the Gretna Green Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Bill and Kathy resided in California and had three sons, Dennis A. Johnson, Paul W. Johnson, and Thomas A. Johnson. 

Bill attended Santa Monica City College from 1955 – 1957.  During this time, Bill was employed by the Robert Lee Myer Construction Company in West Los Angeles as an architectural designer, draftsman, and estimator.

On New Year’s Eve 1959, sixty-six homes were destroyed in the Malibu/Topanga fires, prompting Bill to try it on his own as a self-employed designer and builder of residential properties.  Bill began buying acreage, subdividing, and selling lots through June of 1963.

Bill enjoyed owning and operating a number of businesses during his lifetime including the Hi-Fi Liquor Store in Woodland Hills, California; the Jolly Jug Liquor Store in Northridge, California; the Green Valley General Store complete with Post Office and Bar; all the while continuing to buy and sell real estate. 

An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed raising Arabian horses in Sand Canyon; attending horse shows at Wayne Newton’s home in Las Vegas; and pursing his lifelong love of trees and flowers (He planted hundreds of trees in his lifetime), animals (Jacques, Danni, Puff, Moe, Snuggles, and Luna among others too numerous to mention), spiders (tarantulas were his favorite), and of course the 56 chickens (especially “Pads”) running around the Ojai property.

A few of Bill’s favorite motor vehicles during his lifetime were his 1940 Mercury, 1927 Model T, 1936 Packard Hearse complete with coffin, 1932 Ford long bed pickup truck; 1932  short bed modified Ford, 1952 MG TD, 1966 250 SE Mercedes Coupe, and his 1946 61 C.I. Harley Davidson.

In February 1981, Bill relocated to Maine where he purchased and operated the Winthrop Motel.  It was during this time that Bill purchased and lovingly restored the James C. Lord House located at 497 Main Street in Lewiston. 

His newly found passion for restoration and furnishing stately old homes with period pieces led Bill to pursue buying and restoring homes such as the Blodgett House in Bucksport; Campbell Cottage in Cherryfield, and The Hichborn House in Stockton Springs.

On April 28, 1988, Bill married Terri L. French.  Together they had two children, Andrew W. Johnson and Katherine L. Johnson.  Bill enjoyed being the “house husband,” preparing meals, playing tiny cars, watching the trains with Andrew and many shopping excursions with Katie. 

His final years were spent pursuing more relaxing endeavors – planting flowers, antiquing, listening to bluegrass, visiting with family, and doing his very best to stay healthy in the face of his numerous chronic and terminal illnesses.  Bill was a strong person with a larger-than-life personality.  He lived life to the fullest and always with zest.   We miss him terribly.

Bill was predeceased by his sister, Sally Hall, his brother, Robert Johnson, his son, Paul W. Johnson, and his grandson, Thomas “Tommy” Johnson. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Terri; children, Dennis(Robin) Johnson of Wasilla, AK, Thomas “TJ” Johnson of Weirsdale, FL, Andrew “Andy” (Sharon Clifford) Johnson of Bucksport , ME, and Katherine “Katie” L. Johnson of Bucksport, ME;  grandchildren: William “Billy” Johnson of  Billings, MT, Amber Johnson of  Seattle, WA, Eric Johnson of Eugene, OR, Jennifer (Walt) Johnson Weitzell of Bushnell, FL , Courtney Smart of Sanford, FL, and Karen (Trevor McCann) Johnson of Turner, ME; great-grandchildren Cairan Bangerter of Grand Junction, CO, Lyla Johnson, Abigail Staton and Amelia Johnson all of Turner, ME.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life, currently being planned.  Memories and condolences may be shared on his tribute wall.