William H. Johnson

William Herbert “Bill” Johnson, 88, of Danville, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014, at V.A. Illiana Health Care Systems in Danville. He was born April 24, 1926, in Allerton, Illinois, the son of Walter H. and Doris E. (Ogg) Johnson. Bill married Cathryn J. (Cate) Cunningham on August 10, 1947, in Danville. She survives. He attended Bismarck High School, and was a member of Sidney Christian Church. Bill served his country with honor in 3rd Army, Germany. He was wounded, and was a P.O.W. at one point during his service, and was awarded the Purple Heart in 1945. Bill was a Fire Fighter for the University of Illinois for 35 years, retiring as the Battalion Chief in 1982. He loved his family and friends, boating, water skiing, hunting, and fishing in Florida. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by two sons, David H. (Vicki) Johnson of Urbana and Philip D. (Donna) Johnson of Johnson City, TN; one daughter, Pamela S. (John) Bedient of Tolono, IL; one sister, JoAnn Day of Danville; ten grandchildren, Reachel Knicley, Gabriel Bedient, Benjamin Bedient, Rachel Heiple, Ryan Johnson, Rachel Orren, Isaac Knicley, Rita Knicley, Evan Johnson and Suzanne Knicley; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Thelma Brash, Mildred Goff and Betty Rutan; and a grandson, Damon Johnson. A service to celebrate Bills life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 9th at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Thursday. Burial with military honors by Danville American Legion Post 210 will follow at Danville National Cemetery, 1900 E. Main St., Danville, IL. Memorials have been established for the Danville War Museum and Danville American Legion Post 210. Please join Bills family in sharing memories, photos and video of his life through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.