William Johnson, 95

William (Bill) Johnson, an Army veteran and longtime letter carrier, died peacefully Sept. 30, 2023, at his home in Heron, Mont.

He was born to Forrest and Katherine Johnson on Oct. 5, 1927, in San Diego, Calif.

Bill graduated in the class of 1945 from San Diego High School. He joined the Army the following year and was sent to Fort Campbell, Ky., for basic training, then boarded a troop ship headed for Japan. There he trained with the 11th Airborne in gliders and parachutists.

He returned stateside in 1948 and was honorably discharged as a private first class. He soon married, joined the U.S. Postal Service, and had two sons. He retired 32 years later, when he and his beloved wife, Thelma, headed for the Northwest to build their dream house.

He was preceded in death by his son, David, in 1968; and wife Thelma in 2012. He is survived by his son, William; his daughter-in-law, Shirley; his daughter, Kim; three grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.