Obituary for William Roy Johnston
William “Bill” Roy Johnston passed away peacefully at his home in Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at age 72, with his loving wife and kids by his side.
Bill was born on September 24, 1949, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, to Donald and Ethel Johnston. Showing his future penchant for tackling overwhelming tasks, he began his courtship of his future wife, Monica (Morrison) Johnston, at the ripe age of three weeks when they shared a crib together; Monica being significantly younger at the age of one week. His charisma was on full display as both sets of parents were aware and comfortable with this brazen display. However, this courtship would be put on hold at times as learning to walk and talk pulled them away from each other. Still, Bill and Monica would continue to find their way back to each other. They would eventually marry on June 13, 1970, both at the age of 20 and spend 51 ½ married years on their journey.
Bill spent his formative years developing his incredible work ethic and personability. He spent endless hours working on the family farm, the creamery his father managed, and going to school. Bill also had a paper route, worked at the local bowling alley, the local movie theater as a projectionist, and would help the local contractor build houses, all by the age of 13! A few years later, you would see Bill working on and racing his beloved cars. Entertainment for a week-end would be changing out motors on a car.
Many people knew Bill from his time working his businesses, especially the building and popularization of Panagopoulos Pizza in Red Deer. Bill would quickly create lasting friendships with every client, contract, and customer. You could find Bill running races with children as their parents waited for their pizza orders or with a welcoming smile ready to visit and share stories with any individual. His final business venture is family run Sunset Maintenance. The attention to detail and dedication to doing things correctly never changed.
Bill inspired his incredible work ethic in all those around him as well as his children: Michelle (Jason) Langelaar, Blake (Tanya) Johnston, Courtney Johnston, and Craig (Vanessa) Johnston. These qualities would also be ingrained in his five treasured grandchildren: Devon and Makenzie Langelaar, Alaska, Phoenix, and Jordan Johnston. It has always been easy to see where they all got their diligence, work ethic, and, yes, also their stubbornness.
In the most recent years, his favourite times were visiting with all his car buddies. He joined the Red Deer Street Rodders and enjoyed cruising with his 1966 GTO Convertible. He valued the friendships with all the members built upon their shared passions.
That was and still is the incredible impact of Bill Johnston. He will continue to live on in all of us and our actions, thoughts, and willingness to work harder the harder things get. He could never be forgotten whether you knew him your whole life or only in passing.
Everyone that met him knew they were in the presence of a truly great man, stubborn but great.
As per Bill’s wishes, no funeral will be held – please share stories on the website if you would like, as the family would love to read them. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Lung Association.
Bill was born on September 24, 1949, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, to Donald and Ethel Johnston. Showing his future penchant for tackling overwhelming tasks, he began his courtship of his future wife, Monica (Morrison) Johnston, at the ripe age of three weeks when they shared a crib together; Monica being significantly younger at the age of one week. His charisma was on full display as both sets of parents were aware and comfortable with this brazen display. However, this courtship would be put on hold at times as learning to walk and talk pulled them away from each other. Still, Bill and Monica would continue to find their way back to each other. They would eventually marry on June 13, 1970, both at the age of 20 and spend 51 ½ married years on their journey.
Bill spent his formative years developing his incredible work ethic and personability. He spent endless hours working on the family farm, the creamery his father managed, and going to school. Bill also had a paper route, worked at the local bowling alley, the local movie theater as a projectionist, and would help the local contractor build houses, all by the age of 13! A few years later, you would see Bill working on and racing his beloved cars. Entertainment for a week-end would be changing out motors on a car.
Many people knew Bill from his time working his businesses, especially the building and popularization of Panagopoulos Pizza in Red Deer. Bill would quickly create lasting friendships with every client, contract, and customer. You could find Bill running races with children as their parents waited for their pizza orders or with a welcoming smile ready to visit and share stories with any individual. His final business venture is family run Sunset Maintenance. The attention to detail and dedication to doing things correctly never changed.
Bill inspired his incredible work ethic in all those around him as well as his children: Michelle (Jason) Langelaar, Blake (Tanya) Johnston, Courtney Johnston, and Craig (Vanessa) Johnston. These qualities would also be ingrained in his five treasured grandchildren: Devon and Makenzie Langelaar, Alaska, Phoenix, and Jordan Johnston. It has always been easy to see where they all got their diligence, work ethic, and, yes, also their stubbornness.
In the most recent years, his favourite times were visiting with all his car buddies. He joined the Red Deer Street Rodders and enjoyed cruising with his 1966 GTO Convertible. He valued the friendships with all the members built upon their shared passions.
That was and still is the incredible impact of Bill Johnston. He will continue to live on in all of us and our actions, thoughts, and willingness to work harder the harder things get. He could never be forgotten whether you knew him your whole life or only in passing.
Everyone that met him knew they were in the presence of a truly great man, stubborn but great.
As per Bill’s wishes, no funeral will be held – please share stories on the website if you would like, as the family would love to read them. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Lung Association.