Byron "Bill" G. Johnson

Byron Gilmore Johnson was born on May 13, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Minor Joseph Jewel Johnson and Gertrude Mildred Gilson. He grew up in West Allis with his brother, Gaylord Merlin (born February 1927) and graduated from West Central High School in January 1947. 

On April 14, 1951, Byron “Bill” Johnson married Ruth Marion Lange, and they made their home in Madison, Wisconsin. That same year, Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin with honors in Agronomy. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps beginning in the fall of 1951, with assignments in San Diego, Santa Ana, and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Ruth later joined him there, and their daughter, Lorie Leilani Johnson, was born in 1953 at Tripler Army Hospital in Oahu. 

After his discharge in 1954, Bill returned to Madison with Ruth and Lorie. Using the GI Bill, he completed his Master’s and Doctorate in Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin in 1958 and began
teaching as an Assistant Professor. In 1961, he accepted a position with Nalco Chemical Company, and the family moved to Darien, Illinois. That same year, they adopted their son Gary Lee Johnson (born in 1959), and in 1963 welcomed their son William Roy Johnson.

In 1971, Bill purchased the Carlson farmhouse in Scandinavia, Wisconsin, where the family spent ten years restoring the property. After retiring from Nalco, Bill and Ruth moved there full‐time, and he founded B. G. Johnson and Associates, working as an environmental consultant. Later, after settling in Waupaca, Bill fulfilled his dream of flying—earning his pilot’s license, co‐owning a plane, and flying until about 1998. He also enjoyed memorable fishing trips to Canada.

Gardening became one of Bill’s greatest joys. He grew hostas, vegetable gardens, berry patches, an apple orchard, and generous pumpkin gardens. In 1998, he became a certified Master Gardener through the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardeners Program and served actively in the Waupaca Master Gardeners Association, including as secretary and treasurer.

Bill was a devoted Christian whose faith shaped his life of service and generosity. After retiring, he and Ruth joined First Assembly of God in Waupaca, where Bill served faithfully for more than 35 years in men’s groups, Bible studies, and ministries such as the Waupaca Christian Businessmen’s Association, Honor Bound Men’s Ministry, and Ruby’s Pantry. He was especially known for greeting at church with his warm smile and welcoming hug or handshake.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Minor Johnson; his mother, Gertrude Johnson; his brother, Gaylord Johnson; and his son, William Roy Johnson. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ruth; his daughter, Lorie Horkman (Larry); and his son, Gary (Angela Seifert). His legacy continues through his grandchildren— Charity Mikkelson (Amos), Jon Link, Nicole Rollin (Jason), and Renee Kincaid (John)—and his eleven great‐grandchildren: Raquel Mikkelson, Lauren Tuchscherer (Carson), Isabella Mikkelson, Lily Mikkelson, Christian Rollin, Rose Mikkelson, Eliana Rollin, Alex Mikkelson, Finn Link, Logan Kincaid, and Sophie Kincaid. He is also blessed with one great‐great‐grandchild, Lavender Mikkelson.

The Funeral Service will be on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 1420 Berlin St. Waupaca. The visitation is on Monday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral.

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