William "Bill" Johnson

William "Bill" Johnson, age 96, of Antigo passed away on February 1, 2023 at his home, in the loving care of family and friends. The day marked the end of an exceptionally long, full, life well lived.

Bill was born in Gary, IN on October 21, 1926 to the late Lawrence and Willa (Thordarson) Johnson.

On November 1, 1947, Bill was united in marriage to Janet Wentzer, whom he absolutely adored, at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Elmhurst, IL. She preceded him in death on July 24, 2012.

Bill graduated from York High School in Elmhurst in 1944, and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps days later. With the demand for military pilots waning, he was enrolled in a pre-flight training program at Michigan State University whereby new enlistees had the opportunity to obtain a college education that would be of value when and if they were needed to train for flight duty. With the end of WWII, the program was discontinued, and along with it went Bill’s dream of becoming a US Army Air Corps pilot.

Bill not only believed in the American Dream; he achieved it. As a 7-year-old boy, he watched his father start Johnson Electric Coil Company in the basement of their home. After his military discharge, he joined his father in the family business, married, began a family, and attended Northwestern University before receiving a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology—a total of nine years of night school.

Bill worked alongside his father, supporting and growing the business over the course of his successful 50+ year career. Upon his father’s sudden death in 1966, he became company president and retired in 1992. In the late 1970’s, the company moved to Antigo. Bill was genuinely grateful to have employed so many good people over the years and honored that Johnson Electric Coil Company could provide them and their families a good living. In return, he was widely respected and loved. When the company was sold in December 2021 to Julie Berndt, Bill took great pride and comfort in knowing that the company would carry on the Johnson legacy here in Antigo as a small, family-owned business.

Bill’s passion for aviation did not end with his military service, and after a few years, he obtained his private pilot’s license. He was never happier than when doing aerobatics. Not only did he fly, but he was also known for his two fully restored US Navy Stearman biplanes, one an EAA Best of Show award-winner, and for fully re-assembling the 1939 Taylorcraft he bought in buckets and authentically restored. He was a member of the EAA and served as a judge at the Annual EAA Convention.

Before moving to Antigo, Bill served as a DuPage County Memorial Hospital Trustee. He was also a director of York State Bank and Trust Company for 20 years and was active in the St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Elmhurst. In Antigo, Bill was a member of United Methodist Church. He also served on the boards of Bass Lake Golf Course and the Community Health Foundation and was a member of the Elks Club.

He was immensely proud of his Icelandic heritage and was a member of the Icelandic Association of Chicago. He would credit his 96 years to his Icelandic fortitude. He was known for his endearing sense of humor and wit, his priceless stories, and for his remarkable ability to recall and tell them right up to the end. Most of all, he adored his wife and cherished his family.

Bill is survived by daughters Beth (William) Bockes of Antigo and Carol (William) Seith of Hinsdale, IL, and son Mark Johnson and daughter-in-law Ann Mullins, both of Colorado; five grandsons: Derek and Max Bockes of Antigo, Matt Johnson, his wife Bibi Nelson, and their son Aiko Johnson of London, England, Sebastian (Kelsey) Seith of Illinois and Calvin (Jennifer Gimmell) Seith of Illinois; and brother Michael (Terri) Johnson of Antigo. He is further survived by many relatives and friends, including Marvin (Donna) Sveinsson, another Icelander and his boyhood friend of 92 years.

In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Krengel, and grandson, Will Johnson.

In accordance with Bill's wishes, no formal services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill's name may be directed to the Noboken School Forest, Unified School District of Antigo,120 S. Dorr St., Antigo, WI 54409.

Bill’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dorothy Richling for her amazing care and friendship and to the personnel at LeRoyer Hospice for their warmth and care.