William E. Johnson

William E. “Bill” Johnson, loving husband and father of three children, will be greatly missed. In St. Joseph on April 24th, Bill passed after spending time with his beloved Patt around the kitchen table, enjoying each other and an evening nightcap. Bill was a devoted family man, a successful businessman, and a recognized community leader. A native of Lincoln, IL, Bill earned his Eagle Scout rank, graduated with his BA from the University of Illinois (Go Illini!) and later completed his Masters degree in Business from Stanford University. He was a 1st Lt. and Troop Commander in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. In 1954, Bill married the love of his life Patricia “Patt” Seymour in Mattoon, IL. They had 3 children, Kristin, Sally and Steve. After serving his country, Bill started his career at Whirlpool Corporation as Assistant Advertising Manager for 3 years. In 1959, Bill was recruited to Heath Company, where he helped launch their national dealer program and the opening of the company’s first of 100+ corporate owned stores. In 1968 Bill and Patt moved the family to California, where he worked for Columbia Broadcasting System as Vice President of Marketing for the Musical Instrument Division, which included Fender Guitars and Rogers Drums. This afforded Bill the opportunity to meet The Beatles, Sonny and Cher, The Smothers Brothers, Kenny Rogers, and numerous other interesting characters. He returned to St. Joseph and Heath Company in 1971, eventually being named President in 1981, having grown Heath’s revenues from $100m to $1.2b in the Heath/Zenith era. He retired from Heath in 1993, but would not sit idle for long. He signed on with Gast Manufacturing Company in Benton Harbor, eventually serving as COO, until he retired in 1997. Being “retired” for Bill meant serving as Chairman of the Board of Lakeland Regional Health System, President of Lakeland Health Foundation and Director of Development, Board of Trustees for the YMCA, Board of Directors for St. Joseph Improvement Association, Board of Directors for NBD Bank, Jr. Achievement, Digital Interface Systems, Benton Harbor Street Ministries, New Century Health Network, Michigan Healthlink, American Hospital Association, Center for Health Affairs, Cornerstone Alliance, The Benton Harbor Promise, Lighthouse Forever Fund, among others. In 2012 Bill was presented with the Cornerstone Alliance David R. Whitwam Outstanding Achievement Award. Bill was also an active Rotarian, a mason, and a prolific fundraiser for numerous charitable and faith-based organizations. But at the end of the day – Bill’s passion was his wife Patt and his children Kristin, Sally and Steve. “Play as hard as you work” was Bill’s motto, and he lived that in life. He always made it to the dance recital, the swim meet or wherever his kids were. He lived an incredible life and will be forever missed. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, April 29, 2019, at 2pm at First Congregational Church UCC, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with Bill’s family on Sunday, April 28, 2019, from 2pm until 5pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeland Health Foundation or First Congregational Church. Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Johnson of St. Joseph; children, Kristin (and longtime partner Piotr) Posey of St. Joseph, Sally Geldhof of St. Joseph and Steve (and wife Lisa) Johnson of Shrewsbury, MA; grandchildren Sam & Sally Posey, Pieter, Max & Ellie Geldhof and Tanner, Kyle & Brooke Johnson; and niece Tracey (Pete) Eichenberger of Tulsa, OK. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Edward & Margo Johnson; sister, Janet Lee Johnson; and son-in-law Tom Posey. https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/dynamic-and-diverse-business-exec-bill-johnson-has-passed/?fbclid=IwAR0uzTb4Js0eDi1EIvCPhf6fm15C7zcCqmX_fInKURgEfL2R7uk27P-bcPg