Bill was born December 14, 1935 to Henry W. and Florence (Starnes) Johnson in Leavenworth KS. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1954 and went on to Kansas State University to obtain a degree in Architecture, graduating in 1959, and following in the footsteps of his father in engineering and his grandfather in construction.
During his 2nd year of college, he married Elizabeth "Betty" (Szychowski) Johnson (LHS Class of 1954) on August 18, 1956. After graduating from Kansas State, he returned to his roots in Leavenworth, affording him the opportunity to share his skills and talents with the community that he has always called home.
Over the past 50 years, Bill was employed by several regional architectural and engineering firms such as Marshall and Brown (now Black & Veatch), HNTB, Gould Evans, and HOK. Many aspects of his career were geared toward large scale projects such as the initial construction of Johnson County Community College, KU Medical Center, Corporate Woods, Northwest Missouri Correctional Center, AT&T Town Pavilion, project manager of the Negro League Museum, Kansas City Jazz District and Jazz Museum, community sports arenas across the United States including Fenway Park and Comisky Field, just to name a few.
Bill also spent his entire professional career giving back to the community where he was born and raised. His local civic involvement throughout his lifetime included the Leavenworth County Port Authority, Regional Prison Museum Board of Directors, Richard Allen Cultural Center Board of Directors, Leavenworth Building Code Board of Appeals, Leavenworth City Commissioner and many more.
He worked on multiple projects locally, such as new buildings, additions, remodels of newer and historic buildings and 300+ local home remodels, additions and/or new construction.
He thoroughly enjoyed all the people he met and worked with along the way. He has left a physical and visual legacy with the community of Leavenworth, much as his father and grandfather before him, and a legacy to his family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Sheila Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home, three daughters, Pamela Johnson of Lewiston, ME; Beth (Ken) Cates of Louisburg KS and their children Steven Cates, daughter Nora of Mission, KS, Andrew (Jessica), son Griffin of Whiteman AFB, MO, Parker Cates, Italy; Karen (Bryan) DePriest and their children, Felicia (Brad) Holcomb, daughters Natasha and Rowan, and Nicholas DePriest, all of Leavenworth.
Visitation will be Friday 5pm to 8pm August 18, 2017 at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St. Leavenworth, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday August 19, 2017 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 306 N Broadway, Leavenworth, KS. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Cavalry Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Richard Allen Cultural Center.
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