William C. Johnson, 91 of Vero Beach, Florida, died on Friday November 16, 2012 after a brief illness. Born on August 9, 1921 in Far Rockaway, NY. Bill was an all-star high school student-athlete at Chaminade High School (Mineola, NY) excelling in football, baseball and track. After high school, Bill attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1943 and was a member of the track team for the Irish. Bill also graduated from the Brooklyn Law School. Upon graduation from ND, Bill served in the South Pacific for the U.S. Navy, from 1943-45. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in the Battle of Guam and also the Bronze Star for bravery during World War II.
After the war, Bill met Dorothy Jane Heinle, a widowed mother of three young boys at the time. The two were married on April 27, 1957 in Garden City, NY. Bill was a successful Operations Manager for Grand Union Supermarkets in the metro NY/NJ area and in 1964 was transferred to New Hampshire to manage the company’s New England operations and the Johnson family became a long time residents of Amherst, N.H. Bill was an executive with Susse Chalet Hotels for a number of years and helped the company expand throughout New England. He established his own franchise in 1972. In 1984 Bill and Dorothy semi-retired to Vero Beach, Florida where he enjoyed the warmth and sun, and excelling at tennis and golf. Bill played an active role in his community of Sea Oaks, Vero Beach and volunteered on various committees to help preserve the beaches there. Bill was very involved with the Indian River County Utilities Committee and served as its Chair for many years.
Bill will always be remembered for his pride-filled role in local politics and civic activities In Amherst, including his role as Hillsborough County’s Republican Committee Chairperson, co-founder of the now famous annual Amherst July 4th Parade and a leader of the Souhegan Valley Handicap Association (now called “Opportunity Networks”). He also led the original creation of the Amherst Recreation Commission as well as Little League Baseball in Amherst and in so doing, developed the league’s first diamonds at Spaulding Field. Bill also helped with the town’s initial Pop Warner Football program and the Town’s purchase of the Baboosic Lake Town Beach and Park
Bill was a loving, dedicated father and husband. He is preceded in death by his son Matthew and is survived by his beloved partner of 55 years, Dorothy, his daughter Jennifer, sons Tony and wife Linda, Corry and wife Tammy, Michael, Patrick and wife Darice, daughter-in-law Johanna, grandchildren Ciara Johnson, Emma Jane Johnson, Christopher and SJ Lee, Ben and Will Johnson, Katie and Douglas Letheren, Mitchell, Corey and Dustin Larriva.
A memorial service was held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. Memorial contributions can be made for Alzheimer’s Research at www.alz.org . Also, donations can be made to the Amherst Recreation Commission, for Little League Baseball, by mailing “Town of Amherst. Recreation Department, 4 Cross St., Amherst, NH 03031”