William 'Bill' Bernard Johnson

William 'Bill' Bernard Johnson, 78, of 10365 Center Dr., Meadville, passed away Sunday, July 7th, 2013 at home.

William 'Bill' was born in Schenectady, NY on March 31, 1935, a son of the late William D. and Gladys (Cotton) Johnson.

On September 24, 1988, Bill married Diana Bavera; she survives. He had previously married Sandra Caldwell in October, 1957.

After growing up in Schenectady, NY, Bill moved to Meadville in 1947 where his father began the local Culligan franchise. A 1953 graduate of Meadville High School, he was also a graduate of Erie Business College. In 1955 Bill entered the US Army and served his country until his honorable discharge in 1957. Following his discharge he became employed by Culligan Water Conditioning, Erie, and worked for the PA National Guard, Meadville. After moving to Colorado, he became employed as Assistant Purchasing Agent for KC Construction Supply Co., Denver, CO, then as Assistant Purchasing Agent for University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, and later as Purchasing Agent for Presbyterian Medical Services of the Southwest, Santa Fe, NM. Having relocated to Indiana, he became employed as Director of Purchasing for Anderson General Hospital, Anderson, IN. Upon his return to Meadville, he became owner/operator of Culligan Water Condition, until his retirement in 1988.

An active member of the community, Bill had been involved with Community Theaters, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, The United Way, Associated Charities, American Cancer Society, The Rotary Club, Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club, Masonic Club, American Red Cross, Humane Society, the VA Clinic and Presque Isle Woodturners Club. He had also been a member of the National Purchasing Directors Assoc., Worldwide Water Society and the Water Quality Association.

Bill was a very generous and caring person. He always had a positive attitude and started every day off with a smile. He had a way of making everyone feel at ease with his sense of humor and enjoyed good conversation. Bill was patriotic and waved the American Flag with pride. He loved sitting around campfires, classical music and traveling throughout the US, especially enjoying the rocky coast of Maine. Bill was one of a kind, enthusiastic, and he truly loved his family. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife, Diana of 24 years, Bill is survived by two sons Mark Johnson and his wife Debbie of Spring, TX, Todd Johnson and his wife Elaine of Shoemakersville, two stepsons Casey Bavera and his wife Cortney of Worthington, Nicholas Bavera of Apollo, eight grandchildren Theresa, Ryan, Frank, Kelli, Christopher, Joshua, Giovonni, Gianna and one great grandchild on the way, a sister Katherine Roberts of Waxhaw, NC, 2 sisters-in-law Cheryl Muth and her husband Bob of Meadville, Sandra DelaPaz of San Antonio, TX, a brother-in-law David Van Riper, Jr. of Meadville, several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his step-mother, Alta Johnson.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 2-4 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St. Meadville, where Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM with Pastor Temple Jarrell of New Beginnings Church of God officiating.

Interment will take place in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Twp.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335 or American Cancer Society 320 Bilmar Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4620 or Humane Society of Crawford County, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com