William "Bill" James Johnson

William (Bill) James Johnson, age 89 of Muskegon, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2019. Bill was born in Muskegon, MI on June 14, 1930 to Ervin and Marian (Popps) Johnson. Bill married the love of his life, Ellen (Matthews) on February 20, 1954.

He graduated from Muskegon High School in 1949 and proudly served 4 years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from the City of Muskegon in 1985 after working as a firefighter for 30 years. Bill was a kind and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He had a great sense of humor and will be remembered for his soft spoken yet mischievous personality. He loved camping, fishing, hunting, and gardening. He passed down his love of the outdoors and nature to his daughters and grandchildren. Bill and Ellen enjoyed 30 years of retirement, spending winters in North Fort Myers, FL for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, along with 3 daughters, Kandi (Alan) Macdonald of Novi, Kelli (Jeff) Jullie of Grand Haven, and Kerri (Mark) Taylor of Muskegon. He adored his 8 grandchildren: AJ (Shelley) Macdonald, Dr. Jennifer (Nick) Iyengar, Dr. Alissa (Wayne) Enzenberger, Jamie (Chris) Waite, Erinn Taylor, Patrick Taylor, Anna Jullie and Brittany Jullie; and great-grandchildren, Kyla and Allie Macdonald, Theo Enzenberger, and Gillian Iyengar. He is also survived by his sister, Betty DeJonge, brother-in-law, Don Wentzlof, sisters-in-law, Joyce Weersing, Patsy (Frank) Swain, Linda Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Marian; sisters, Joyce Clark (and husband, Bud), and Marilyn Wentzlof; brothers, Richard and Ervin L. (Vern) Johnson; and brother-in-law, Roger DeJonge.

Bill’s family would like to thank Harbor Hospice and his caregivers from Comfort Keepers for caring for him during the past month. Cremation has taken place and his family will celebrate his wonderful life at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be given to a charity of donor’s choice.

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