Obituary of Bill Johnson

JOHNSON, James William

December 30, 1936 – Picture Butte, Alberta

January 26, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

James William “Bill” Johnson of Okotoks, Alberta passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the age of 85 years.

Bill was born in Picture Butte and spent his early years in Southern Alberta.  He attended Coalinga College in California on a football scholarship, then Northern Arizona University and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Education.

Bill played professional football in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Roughriders, where he met his wife Cathy and retired from the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts.  Bill and Cathy were married on November 6, 1965, and then moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where they lived for over 35 years and raised their family.

Following football, he enjoyed his career as a schoolteacher and coach in Montreal and Lethbridge as well as counsellor at the Lethbridge Community College.  He also had many successful entrepreneurial ventures ranging from restaurant ownership, Midas Muffler franchises to a resort development in the Bahamas and many more.

Bill was well travelled, enjoyed golfing, skiing, scuba diving, fishing and had a love for all sports.  In the late 1970’s Bill and Cathy built a second family home in Whitefish, Montana where they enjoyed many great family memories for over 40 years.

We will miss his amazing sense of humor, all his great stories and those great big bear hugs.  He loved and was loved dearly by so many, was always there with a helping hand and touched many lives.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carol, and Ian Kirby; son and daughter-in-law, Tom Johnson and Sangita Prasad; grandchildren Joe, Pat and Matt Kirby, Aidan, and Anjali Johnson; sisters Verna Enyeart, Pat DiTomaso; brothers Al, Don, and Bob Johnson; sisters-in-law Gail, Lynn and Diane Johnson along with many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Florence (nee Harrison) and wife Cathy Johnson (nee Jongerius).

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis and Holloway Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road SE) on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 2:00pm MST with reception to follow in the Hospitality Center at the funeral home.  Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join via live stream on the day of the service. Those attending will be asked to provide valid government identification (with name, picture, and date of birth) AND confirm one of the following: (a) provincial vaccine record with QR code; or (b) negative COVID test within 72 hours; or (c) valid medical exemption (signed letter); or (d) under twelve (12) years of age.  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canada Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.ca. The family would like to extend thanks to the staff at South Health Campus in Calgary and The Oilfield General Hospital in Black Diamond.

In living memory of James Johnson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

The memorial card for James Johnson can be viewed by clicking here

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