William Clyde Johnson, 15

On Dec. 22, 2009, William Clyde Johnson, age 15, was tragically taken from his loving family. He passed away from injuries sustained in a skiing accident.

William was born on July 16, 1994, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was the beloved youngest child of Brad and Susan Johnson. He had three adoring, devoted and doting older sisters, Juliette, 22, Victoria, 21, and Rebecca, 19.

William was a sophomore at Sandpoint High School. There, he was a member of the cross country team, played multiple instruments in the school band and was loved by his fellow students and faculty.

William was a gifted musician. He played the alto sax, the bari sax, guitar, bagpipes, bassoon and trombone.

Music was a great influence in his life, and Will could play any instrument he came across. He expressed his musical talents through his participation in the Pep Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band. He was in the process of forming his own band called, “Dr. Robotniss and the Men with Hotness.”

His favorite musicians included Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Lady Gaga and Dio.

William was a true Renais-sance Man. His athletic pursuits included cross country, SCUBA diving, wakeboarding, snowboarding, swimming, skiing, and lacrosse.

He was looking forward to dirt biking adventures in his new truck and learning to fly this spring, a Johnson family tradition.

Will loved the bounty of nature Sandpoint has to offer, from the lakes to the mountains.

He played many sports but was most passionate about the Sandpoint High School cross country team. It was more than a team; it was a family.

Coaches Matt and Angie Brass and assistant coach, his Sissy Reb, made cross country his favorite and most rewarding high school experience.

In his spare time, William enjoyed hanging out with his friends, playing new tabs on his guitar, seeking new adventures, playing “Call of Duty” on Xbox Live, and drinking chocolate milk from a measuring cup.

William brought joy to everyone with his boundless sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart.

He loved all animals. He was a kind, gentle, caring soul, and will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

He was taken much too soon.

William leaves behind his loving family. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Lela and Marie; Aunt Cindy, the Jarzebek family, the Brass family, Sam Sisson, relatives and friends too numerous to mention, and his dog, Jojo.

He will be forever in our hearts.

Viewings are held daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coffelt’s Chapel at Division and Pine.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, Dec. 29,  at 2 p.m. at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lincoln and Ontario.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Panhandle Animal Shelter to honor Will’s love of all God’s creatures.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is not the length of life, but the depth of life,” and this is certainly true for William.

God bless and keep our precious baby boy. We will never forget you and will love you eternally.

“TACO.”