William K. Johnson

Dr. William K. "Bill" Johnson, Ph. D, 83, of Jefferson City, died Thursday, November 2, 2017 at his home. He was born February 6, 1934 in St. Joseph, Missouri, a son of Maxwell and Kittie (Jackson) Johnson. Bill had three families throughout his life, first with Evelyn Marie Dischner, married in St. Joseph on September 19, 1952. Second with Mary Ellen Snow, married in Springfield, Missouri on August 30, 1963. His last love was Barbara Ann (Jinson) Terrell married on June 23, 1980 at Unity Village, Lee's Summit, Missouri. She survives him at Jefferson Manor in Jefferson City. Bill was an active member of the Salvation Army at age 15 and worked on dance with American Indian tribes in the 1940's and 50's. Bill Johnson built a life based on principles of community service. Throughout his life, Bill had a profound effect on the lives of many people. Bill graduated from Benton High School in St. Joseph, Missouri and attended several institutions of higher learning including SMS in Springfield, Missouri, Truman University in Kirksville, Lincoln University in Jefferson City before receiving a Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University, San Raphael, California in 1985. Bill was a life insurance agent for eight years attaining the professional designation Charter Life Underwriter, CLU; and retired as the Radiological Defense Officer for the State Emergency Management Agency. After retirement Bill continued to work with FEMA and SEMA on various disaster recoveries in Missouri. Bill served in the Naval Reserve and the Army National Guard for an outstanding 40 years from 1952 until 1992. He was mostly stateside training troops for combat operations from the Vietnam era to Desert Storm. He had a short tour in Japan and the Philippines in 1971. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. Bill was a Boy Scout (Eagle:Silver Beaver) by the age of 17; served as Past Master of the Masonic Lodge; Past Commander of the Knights Templar, both of Jefferson City, a member of the Scottish Rite in Columbia and MOILA Shrine in St Joseph, Missouri; and member of the American Legion; and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, NRA, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Jefferson City. Bill is survived by two sons: David Johnson of Key Largo, Florida, and Eric "Dugan" Johnson of Concord, California; two daughters: Dr. Cynthea Ainsworth of Gakona, Alaska, and Catherine Abbott, CPA of Hallsville, Missouri; and four grandchildren. He is also survived by one step-son, Stephen Terrell of Jefferson City, and several step-grand and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two children, Billie Guy and Glenda Kay Johnson; and two step-children, Mike Terrell and Connie Terrell. Friends will be received from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors with a Masonic Service at 11:30 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors. Interment with full military honors will follow at Longview Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com