1939
William
2025
William "Bill" Johnson
April 9, 1939 — October 6, 2025
William Maxwell Johnson was born April 9, 1939, one of George and Mary Dalton Johnson's seven children. He graduated in 1958 from Circleville High School, where he was an outstanding athlete lettering in track, football and basketball. His famous basketball "hook" shot earned him the nickname "Bevo" after Bevo Francis who played basketball at Rio Grande College. The nickname stayed with him his entire live.
He attended Central State University before working at The Ohio Youth Commission in Columbus for six years. After surviving a major automobile accident in 1968 his life began anew after earning a Sociology Degree from Ohio University. He served 26 years with the Ohio Job Services Department where he used his position to develop jobs and hiring opportunities for minorities and individuals with disabilities. He worked with Concerned Citizens for the Handicapped, the Noon Day Lion's Club, he served on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries and the Carver Community Center in Chillicothe. Bill spoke in schools, social organizations and prisons, giving instructions on how to gain employment. He was honored by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1991. He also received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award presented by then Lt. Governor Michael DeWine. He retired after 35 years of service to the State of Ohio.
Bill served as Financial Secretary for his beloved Scioto Elks Lodge, receiving the Elk of the Year Award in 2003. In 2014 Bill received the Business/Tech/Education award, recognizing his many accomplishments and hard work presented by the Pickaway County African American Association (PCAAHA) of Circleville, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary M. Dalton Johnson and George Johnson, his beloved grandfather, Edward L. Dalton, his brothers Charles Johnson, George Johnson, Rev. Michael D. Johnson, sisters, Marie Ardrey, Mary Ann Anderson, and Roberta Johnson who died in infancy, Sister-in-Law, Sandra Johnson, Brother-in-Law, Roger Conley and cousins, Paul and John Henry Jackson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Sandra Stewart Johnson and his son, Steven Johnson; sister Marguerite "Marty" Conley and sisters-in-law Carolyn Johnson and Odessa Johnson and brother-in-law Marcus Anderson, II, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of family members and friends.
Bill Johnson had an impact on family, friends, associates and clients during his lifetime. He was happiest when he hosted the annual Fourth of July cookout with the entire family and many friends. He is missed, beloved, and will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Bill. Know that you will never be forgotten. We love you – Sandra and Steve.
A Celebration of Bill's life will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Haller Funeral Home & Crematory, 1661 Western Avenue, Chillicothe with Pastor Moses Edwards officiating, followed by burial at Grandview Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00pm.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Bill" Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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