Obituary of Bill F. Johnson

Bill F. Johnson, 87, of Coffeyville passed to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville, where he had been a resident since October 2008. Bill was born to Jesse D. and Stella A. (White) Johnson on September 3, 1922 in rural Independence, KS. He married Melba Jean Burt on March 15, 1941 at Nowata, OK. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Keystone Sunday School Class, and a former member of the American Legion Post #20 in Coffeyville where he was a past Vice Commander. Bill served his country in the U.S. Army, and for many years owned a painting and contracting business in Coffeyville. Later he was employed by Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and Rural Water District #11. Bill enjoyed gardening, boating, fishing, and camping but most of all he enjoyed visits from his friends and family, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they played at the Johnson home in Indian Village. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Melba Johnson of Coffeyville; two brothers, Jack L. Johnson and wife, Shirley, of Mesquite, TX, and Earl D. Johnson and wife, Helen, of Edna; two sisters, Shirley Jean Coppock of Centennial, CO, and Pearl L. Craney of Las Vegas, NV; four daughters, Aundra Jean Griffiths of Paxico, KS, Connie L. Perkins and husband, Tim, of Caney, KS, Judith Ann Looney and husband, Jerry, of Towanda, KS, and Nisha Gay Tosh and husband, Steve, of Centerton, AR; one son, Gary L. Johnson and wife, Donna, of Coffeyville; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Carl D. "Bud" Johnson; and a sister, Nannie Allene Sparks. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2010 in the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Rev. John Collins officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, KS. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Tagged as: First United Methodist Church, Sunnyside Cemetery