Willard Melvin Johnson

Willard (Bill) Melvin Johnson 92, passed away in Eau Claire, WI, surrounded by his family on Friday, August 4. He was born in August 1931 in Osseo, WI, to Melvin M. and Mary Maude (Barney) Johnson. Bill spent his youth in Osseo on the family farmstead just outside town and graduated Lincoln Hill High School in 1949. During his high school years, he had many odd jobs and was an avid photographer.
Shortly thereafter, he entered the Marine Corp and served for two years primarily at the El Toro Marine Corp Air Station in California. He married his sweetheart, Faith Ann Shefchik in February, 1954 in Augusta, WI and together they had four children.
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Accounting and worked as a CPA at firms in Madison and Appleton, until retiring in 2010. For a number of years thereafter, he continued to do accounting work from his home in Eau Claire, WI.
Bill enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing with friends and in the 1970's, purchased a resort in Winter, WI, with a log cabin where the family spent vacations together over the years. Some of his favorite times were spent in Winter watching his grandchildren as they grew up over the years when visiting the resort.
His special interests included following the Badgers and Packers during the season and he was able to attend multiple Rose Bowls and a Super Bowl victory over the years.
Bill and Faith were frequent, worldwide travelers and visited fifty countries over the years. In his later years, Bill was an avid reader and spent his leisure time with a good novel.
He was a member of the the Sacred Heart of Jesus - St. Patrick Parish and was known for his strong work ethic and great character. He was family oriented and very concerned for the well-being of his children, grandchildren and others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Maude Johnson; brother, Lester (Ruth Briggs) (2003), and sisters, Elaine (Richard Johnson) (2014), and Edna (Robert Hagstrom) (2019).
He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Faith Ann; daughter, Belinda (John Harrison) of Vernon Hills, Illinois, and sons, Thomas (Jill) of Wayzata, Minnesota, Gregg (Julie) of Eagle River, Wisconsin, Brian (Susan) of Folsom, California; nine grandchildren; Julie, Laura, Martin, Kelly, Sarah, Bradd, Amy, Steven, and Keri and five great-grandchildren; Hayley, Nathan, Tenley, Isaac, and Kaylin; and one great-great-grandchild, Sofia.
A private family gravesite funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to:Sacred Heart of Jesus - St. Patrick Parish, 416 N. Dewey St.,  Eau Claire WI 54703, or Hope Gospel Mission, Eau Claire WI (www.hopegospelmission.org). Arrangements were entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services. Online condolences may be left for Bill's family at www.lenmarkfh.com.

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