William R. Johnson, 76, of Dowell, passed away at 1:25 A.M., Sunday, December 19, 2004 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Bill was a retired federal firefighter working at the Granite City Military Depot and the Savannah Army Depot.
He was a member of the Spirit of Life Christian Church in DuQuoin and a Deacon of the church. He was a member of the Dowell Fire Department and a member of the Coal Belt Firefighters Association. He was a US Navy veteran of W.W. II.
Bill was born August 17, 1928 at Girard, IL the son of Joseph T. and Kathryn (Schoen) Johnson.
He married Bertha H. Robinson Downs on December 21, 1974 at Granite City, IL and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Dowell, children- Karmel Fulcher and husband Richard of Granite City, Russell Kevin Johnson of Granite City, Sherri Ford and husband Stephen of Du Quoin, Dennis Downs and wife Crystal of Elkville, brother- Earl T. Johnson of Collinsville, six grandchildren- Sarah Johnson, Tim Johnson, Brian Dickerson, Stephen Dickerson, Shaun Downs and Keri Downs.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Gerald Wright officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M., Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Interment will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the Dowell Fire Department and will be accepted at the funeral home.
