A. Johnson

Moline, Illinois
William ?Bill? Johnson passed away peacefully on January 2, 2010, in Moline, IL, at 90 years of age.
Visitation for William Johnson will be from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, with a funeral service directly following at Trimble Funeral & Cremation Center, 601 21st Street, Moline. Following the funeral, there will be a burial service in the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of his deep love for the care of animals, memorials are requested to be made to the Humane Society, Rock Island County Animal Care & Control Center or ASPCA, The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
He was a resident of various parts of the Quad Cities for the entirety of his life with the exception of a brief time as a snowbird in Phoenix, AZ. After the death of his beloved wife, Violet, he lived with his daughter Stephanie for many years before his eventual move to Amber Ridge Assisted Living Center in Moline. Even though his time there was short-lived, he commented nearly daily on how comfortable and cared for that he felt. Knowing that he was loved, safe and happy in his home is something for which his family is very grateful.
William August Johnson was born on March 23rd, 1919, in Moline, Illinois, to Esther and Severine Johnson. The son of two immigrants from Sweden, Bill was proud of his Swedish heritage and frequently teased that ?You can always tell a Swede, but you can?t tell him much.? Although he never fulfilled his lifelong dream of visiting his homeland or nearby Switzerland, he would readily say that he had a full and happy life enjoying those closest to him.
There are some people in this world that just have a way of making friends wherever they go. Bill was that type of person. Growing up in Moline he frequently talked about the adventures he had in the Mississippi River, at his father?s corner grocery store in Moline or even what it was like to get his first car. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy a love for cars and for continuing to tell those many stories about what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression, see the first television set or even step into the 21st Century by using his own cell phone. He was never at a loss for being amazed at how life could change. ?Life?s a puzzle? he would say.
A decorated World War II veteran, Bill returned from service in the U.S. Army to work at the Rock Island Arsenal. In May of 1962 he married Violet Thompson Hansen. She preceded him in death in 1997. As a result of their marriage Bill inherited Violet?s family and soon became as much a part of them as anyone could be. During their nearly 35-year marriage they enjoyed the simple things together. Often they would buy and renovate a house to have a project to work on or play a savvy game of cards. They enjoyed many pets over the years as well and Bill?s deep love for animals could never be mistaken. Often taking day trips to local small towns, and stopping at every garage sale, they experienced a good life with one another.
Enjoying an unusually long retirement of over 35 years, Bill might say that he never did much worth mentioning. He would say that he was just a regular guy that could never figure out how he got so lucky to be so loved. He was always unassuming that way. Yet throughout his life he drew people to him that became part of the many that truly loved and just enjoyed being around him. These were the gifts that became his legacy.
Bill is survived by his children which include Stephanie Brown (Paul), Thomas Johnson, Glenna Davies (Norman) and Bill Lyons (Lynn); 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Bill?s obituary at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.