Birth date: Jul 31, 1941 Death date: Nov 18, 2025
Racine – William O. Johnson Sr., 84, passed away at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. William was born in Racine on July 31, 1941, to the late Oliver and Jeannette (nee Overman) Johnson, and lived in Ra Read Obituary
I love you, Grandpa. Mostly your love for God, grandma, and mom and showing us women in your life what it is like to be thoroughly loved by a man. I love that you had no limits for my mom and raised her to know both "women stuff" and "man stuff".
I remember you telling me when mom and Nic and I lived with you guys as youngins that you would come check on me in my sleep because I'd sleep for 15 hours and you would get worried about me. I know you retired early just to help raise us. That's the kind of man you were and it's inspiring. I dint think anyone ever questioned what came first and second for you. It was always God, family, and then the rest. You did whatever it took, whenever took was needed, to protect and provide for us all.
You were truly the master class definition of a patriarch. Our home base, leader, helper, and guide and you had a story to go with all of it.
Its both funny and sad how the seeminy mundane things we expect from people eventually become the things we miss most. Other than your unique laugh thats rung through my head impulsively multiple times a day since I said goodbye, I will miss your stories the absolute most, without question. Even the ones I heard a hundred or more times I repeat in my head today trying to recounteach detail I may have missed. I wish I could hear you retell them again. Yet I am equally thankful for your stand-up voice that lives also in my spirit. And I'm exceedingly grateful your gift of natural, soul writing passed down to my daughter, your great granddaughter. I will make sure she lives her life sharing her voice and her stories just as you did.
I dont think there wasnt a problem you couldn't solve, or an odd measurement you couldn't figure out. You were the "it" guy.
I will be missing you the rest of my days, seeking moments of joy, comfort, and peace mostly in the knowing that you are embraced now with our heavenly Father of whom you dedicated your entire life to.
I'll strive hard to live a life that would make you proud in reflecting the characteristics you instilled in us all, and look forward to our own reuniting someday.
I chose blue to remember you not only because it is my favorite color, but it is the color my heart chose instantly when I quickly reflected on your presence in my life. Blue is the color of quiet strength and love that doesn’t disappear. . .even in grief. Blue holds both the depth of my sorrow and the depth of the love you *anchored* deeply in our family. It is the sky that cradles you now, the subtle reminder that you’re still watching over us. Forever steady. Always consistent, as both your character (which never changed, only grew) and your love towards us was. Forever loved.
Thank you for this family. You gave us all a wholesome life.
I love you very much.
My favorite memory was watching him and Sharon transform an older camper into a BEAUTIFUL work of art that is now called "Moon Shadow." They enjoyed many projects together. Truly a beautiful relationship between those two. Prayers to all of the family. He will be missed.
