As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
William “Willy” Raymond Johnson, of Houghton, MI, passed away on April 16, 2025.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 22 until the time of services at 11:00 AM. Funeral services will take place at Hancock First United Methodist Church with Pastor Shin officiating.
Bill was born on December 23, 1937, in Laurium, Michigan, to Dorothy and Ray Johnson. He grew up in Houghton and graduated from Houghton High School in 1956. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for two years in Virginia.
Following his time in the Navy, Bill moved to Detroit and later Milwaukee, WI, where he owned a Standard Oil gas station. It was in Milwaukee that he met the love of his life, Nancy Bitney. The two married in 1960 and went on to have two children, Glen and Lori.
In 1965, the family moved back to the Upper Peninsula and made their home in Hancock. Bill owned and operated Johnson’s Service in Chassell for nearly 40 years. After retiring, he and Nancy enjoyed splitting their time between winters in Arizona and summers back in Chassell.
Bill had a lot of passions—he loved fishing, working on cars, golfing, watching westerns, and spending time with his grandson Ethan. He was an active member of the Chassell Lions and loved helping out at the Strawberry Festival. In retirement, he gave his time generously to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, where he fixed cars, cooked meals, served food, and shared countless stories with everyone he met.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Johnson; his sister, Verna McGibbon; his son, Glen Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Nancy; his daughter Lori Johnson; son-in-law Paul Kahlenberg; and grandson Ethan Kahlenberg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly or the Hancock First United Methodist Church.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences for his family, please go to www.oneilldenisfh.com.
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