William Edward Johnson
A dedicated public servant, William (Bill) Edward Johnson, 74 of Mexico, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. at Audrain Medical Center.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at St. Brendan Catholic Church with Father Edward Doyle officiating. An open house to celebrate his life and service to others will be held Sunday, Sept. 21, from 2-5 p.m. at the home of Andrea and Brandt Willer at 1968 Windsor in Mexico. Huntington, Vt. will be Bill’s final resting place.
Bill was born Aug. 21, 1934 in St. Louis to Glenn G. and Dorothy (McHenry) Johnson. On Jan. 27, 1962, he married Carolyn Katherine Heitner in St. Louis. She died on June 3, 1994.
Mr. Johnson graduated from Christian Brothers High School in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Animal Husbandry. From 1956-58, Bill served in the United States Army as a combat engineer and achieved the rank of sergeant. He attended the School of Veterinary Medicine for two years, then transferred to the School of Medicine’s Department of Community Health and Medical Practice and received a master’s degree in Public Health.
On Sept. 1, 2008, Bill celebrated 45 years of service to the Audrain City-County Health Unit, where he served as the administrator for 40 years. Mr. Johnson was instrumental in establishing Home Health Services in Audrain, Montgomery, Randolph and Boone counties. In 1995, he helped start Hospice at ACCHU. Since 2005, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of Audrain Medical Center. In 2004, he became a member of the Board of Trustees for AMC and served as chairman since 2006. The Governor of Missouri proclaimed Sept. 10, 2003 as “William E. Johnson Day” for 40 years of service to public health. He received the “My Boss is a Patriot” Committee Chair Award for employer support of the Guard and Reserve Program from the Department of the Air Force. In 1993, Mr. Johnson received the W. Scott Johnson Award, the highest award given by the Missouri Public Health Association, for making outstanding contributions to public health in Missouri.
For 13 years, Bill served as a part-time instructor, lecturer and associate professor at the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine Department of Community Health and Medical Practice, as well as the School of Engineering. From 1971-73, he served as the Chief of Biomedical Information Service at the Missouri Regional Medical Program. He served as the past president of the Missouri Public Health Association, the Rural Health Administrators, and the Central Missouri Human Development Corporation. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Joint Committee for a Licensure Law for Missouri Alliance of Home Care, served on the board of directors for Missouri Association of Home Health Agencies and for Missouri Family Planning Health Council. He was a founding member of the Board of the Audrain County Human Development Corporation.
Mr. Johnson was an active member of St. Brendan Catholic Church and School, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. An avid reader, Bill shared his love of books and learning with his wife, Carolyn. Bill was an enthusiastic sports fan, and followed all the St. Louis teams, Mizzou football and basketball, as well as his children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting endeavors. He played tennis, handball and racquetball for more than 25 years. Mr. Johnson was an Amtrak train advocate and took many trips around the United States with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his four children, their spouses and children, Jessica Ekern and Andy, William (Will) McCoy, Madison McHenry and Hayden Wesley of Chicago, Ill.; Jennifer Dubinski and Jason, Abigail Katherine Heitner of Columbia; Andrea Willer and Brandt, Colby William, Jacob Turner, Peyton Johnson, Alexis Carolyn of Mexico; and John Johnson and Shona, Conor Heitner of Lee’s Summit. Bill is also survived by his brothers, Wright (Bud) of San Francisco, Calif.; Jerome (Jerry) and his wife, Margaret (Marge) of St. Louis; and Glenn and his wife, Jeanne, of Ellisville; four nephews and four nieces and their children.
His family suggests memorials be sent to the Audrain City-County Health Unit’s Emergency Fund which provides funds for medication and medical supplies to those in need. Caring for all of God’s children was Bill’s passion in life. Memorials may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.
Arrangements under the direction of Arnold Funeral Home.
Condolences at www.arnoldfh.com