William R. Johnson

William Richard Johnson, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 16, 2011 due to apparent cardiac arrest. A loving husband, father, grand-father, neighbor, and friend, he will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. His devotion to family and friends was equally matched by his devotion to his community, where he gave countless hours of service to many activities, events, and functions to help those in need, particularly to the disabled and handicapped.

Bill was born on November 5, 1931, in Madison, attending St. Raphael's Grade School, Edgewood High School, and University of Wisconsin - Madison, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He served his country honorably in the United States Army with the 68^th Armored Field Artillery during the Korean conflict, and was discharged a 1^st Lieutenant. On May 7, 1960, he married Nancy Ann Myszka at St. Michael's Church in Wausau, Wisconsin, and together they raised seven children in their Madison home.

Bill's love for music, especially Broadway shows, and talent as an accomplished pianist encompassed most of his life. Since 1949, he played in clubs throughout the Midwest, Southwest, and major nightclubs in northern and Southern Wisconsin, such as The Lorraine Hotel, Hoffman House, Simon House, The Cavalier, The Green Room of the Plankinton, Devi-Bara Resort, Deer Trail Lodge, Northernaire, Morgart's Indian Lodge, and Alamo Plaza.

In 1955, Bill won the instrumental division of the All-Army Entertainment Contest in New York. He toured many Army and Air Force facilities, providing entertainment along with comedian Dick Gregory and Vocalist Peter Palmer. During those tours, he acted as accompanist for the 1^st Armored Division Orchestra and Chorus. He enjoyed his many opportunities to work with musical groups, soloists such as Jacque White, and variety shows in the Madison area including Edgewood's Edgefest', Blessed Sacrament's Encore', and many other social functions. From the late 1970s thru the early 1990's, he was the Dining Room pianist at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison.

After his time in the armed services, he joined Farmers Mutual Insurance (now American Family Insurance) where he was employed 37 years as an Adjuster, District and Branch Claims Manager, and was Past President of the Wisconsin Claim Managers Association. After retirement, he developed his own Insurance Consulting practice, working with numerous law firms and their clients in the Southern Wisconsin.

Bill was a long-standing member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison where he was Church and Choir organist for 29 years, past Parish Council President, and past President of the Madison Diocesan Council. He was active in many Parish functions, fundraising drives, and benevolent associations, such as St. Vincent DePaul, the Men's Organization, and Special Olympics. He was especially proud to be an ""original Madisonian"" having been born and raised throughout the old Greenbush neighborhood and the 4^th Ward.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, and seven children -- Stephen, William, Anthony, Thomas, Daniel, Amy (husband, Steve Ulrich), Christopher, and grand-children Alexis Ulrich and Morgan Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and many family members, and of special note, his first wife, Marie, who he lost to polio. With fond loving, eternal remembrance, and devotion, may Marie's soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

A visitation will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2115 Rowley Ave., Madison, WI 53726 beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday March 22nd, 2011, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Goodwill Industries, 1302 Mendota Street, Madison, WI 53714; Blessed Sacrament Church; or Community Support Network, 2122 Luann Lane, Madison, WI 53713.

Ending Quote:

""There's a place for us; a time and place for us"".