William Jerome ‘Bill’ Johnson

DIKE, Texas — William Jerome “Bill” Johnson, age 91, passed away peacefully Monday, June 15, 2026, in Dike.

Bill was born Aug. 21, 1934, in Portville, N.Y., to Edwin and Enid Johnson, a town he called home for nearly his entire life.

He shared 67 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Marilyn Dawn Coleman Johnson. Together they enjoyed many happy years in Okeechobee, Fla., embracing the snowbird lifestyle they loved before later moving to South Carolina to be closer to family. In his final years, Bill made Texas his home, remaining close to the family he cherished.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Bill was a determined man with a strong will and a positive outlook on life. He believed in the power of attitude and carried that philosophy throughout his life. Honest and straightforward, he spoke his mind freely, but those who knew him best understood his heart was always genuine.

Bill spent decades as a roofer, owning and operating his own roofing business. Known for his hard work, independence and craftsmanship, he enjoyed building, repairing and helping others with projects of all kinds.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill loved fishing, hunting, golfing, gardening, whittling wood and watching birds and squirrels around the many birdhouses and feeders he kept. Bill and Marilyn also enjoyed bowling, playing cards and square dancing together.

One of his proudest accomplishments on the golf course was scoring a hole-in-one at Bradford Golf Course, a memory he treasured. A lifetime member of the Portville Conservation Club, he found joy in the simple pleasures of nature, tending gardens of onions and tomatoes and spending time outdoors.

Bill also loved playing chess and sharing the game with others. For some, it became more than a pastime — it became a lifelong passion and one more way his influence will continue for generations.

Above all, Bill was a storyteller. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. His laughter was contagious, and his stories brought smiles to family, friends and even those he had just met.

People will remember Bill for his determination, friendly nature, unmistakable flat-top haircut, tall and sturdy presence and the quiet confidence with which he lived his life.

He is survived by his sisters, Helen Wetherby of Obi, N.Y. and Mary Rose of Olean, N.Y.; his four daughters, Lynne Marie Hansen, Billie Jean Putt, Penny Ann Blaske and Dawn Elaine Sprague; 12 grandchildren; extended family; and many dear friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Dawn Coleman Johnson; his parents, Edwin and Enid Johnson; his brothers, Lewis and Phillip; and his great-granddaughter, À Brielle.

In accordance with their wishes, Bill and Marilyn’s ashes will be scattered together.

A life well lived. A man well loved.