William “Bill” Edward Johnson, 86, of Centuria, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the St. Croix Medical Center. Bill was born on July 13, 1938, in Amery, Wisconsin, to Charles and Clara Johnson.
Bill grew up on the Shiloh Farm and attended Shiloh school and then graduated from Amery High School in 1956. Bill bought his first milk truck at 17 years old and hauled milk cans until 1966 when he began working for Erwin Montgomery Construction until the mid-‘90s when he went to work for the Village of Centuria until he retired. Bill kept busy with many ventures and public services over the years having served over 30 years on the Centuria Fire Department, 10 of which he served as chief. From 1972 to 1977 he worked in snowmobile sales/service and taught snowmobile safety for over 30 years. One of Bill’s biggest passions in life was racing. He flagged at Centuria Speedway for several years and worked on many race crews over the years. Every Sunday, you could find Bill swearing at the NASCAR race.
Bill married Margie Kjeseth on July 26, 1959. Three children were born to this union, Donny, Cheryl and Jodi Johnson.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Clara; and great-granddaughter, Ava Tuftin.
He is survived by his wife, Margie; son, Donny (Nancy) Johnson; daughters, Cheryl (William) Schultz and Jodi (Brian Olson) Johnson; grandchildren, Jason (Krista) Schultz, Kenny Johnson, Jesse (Amanda) Schultz, Tori (Brian) Johnson, Alicia (Ben) Olson, Andy Johnson and Katie Johnson; great-grandchildren, Karsten Johnson, Westen Johnson, Aubree Tuftin, Soren Schultz, Cora Shultz and Ellyana Schultz; sister, Marion Myers; and brother, Bob (Virginia) Johnson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the service. Please join the family for lunch following the service in the church fellowship hall.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Doug Jensen, Doug Peterson, Steve Sylvester, Don Kemish, Wayne Kjeseth, Larry Kjeseth, Dave Priebe, Jack Nelson and Glen Minnick.
The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.
