Willis "Bill" "Will" Johnson

Willis “Bill” “Will” G. Johnson, age 90, of Appleton passed to eternal life on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Apple Creek Place, Appleton. He was born on June
5, 1930, to the late Herbert and Alice (Hanson) Johnson in New London. Will grew up in Appleton and Oshkosh.  His love of sports involved him in football and track.  After graduating from Oshkosh High School, he played semi-pro football for the “Oshkosh Comets” for two years.  In 1950, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country on a ship called the Kula Gulf until his honorable discharge in 1954. Will married Gloria Kralapp on June 16, 1956, she preceded him in death in 2007.  Will worked in the sheet metal industry and retired after 44 years. His adventurous personality loved sailing, skiing, golfing, training dogs with the Winnegamie Dog Club, wood working and designing barn quilts and watching the Packers. In 2016 he married Bonnie (Nortman) Johnson and together they traveled and created wonderful memories.  

Survivors include his wife Bonnie, sons Bruce (Laura) Johnson of Maple Grove MN and Scott (Frankie) Johnson of Elbow Lake MN, step-daughters Sara (Paul) Wait, Sue Bowden and Patricia Neumann, grand-children Conor McKenzie (Fiancé Jackie Glynn), Kelsey (Mikel) Kind, Morgan McKenzie, Tai Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Ben Johnson and Dayleen (Craig) Yoerger and Casandra Johnson, 6 great-grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren, brother-in-law Les (Katy) Nortman and special cousin Barbara Jean (Eddie) Klegin

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ken Johnson, daughter Debra (Joni) McKenzie and parents-in-law Henry and Evelyn Kralapp and Phillip and Ardith Nortman, step-sons Randall Neumann and Dean Bowden.

Please join a livestream of funeral services for Willis on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 11:00 AM by visiting www.felc.com website.

Special thank you the Appleton VA for his wonderful care also to AseraCare Hospice and Apple Creek Place.

In lieu of flowers please consider giving to First English Lutheran Church, Fox Valley Memory Project or Alzheimer’s association.

A race well run, please enjoy a shot and a beer in memory of Willis.