Obituary of William E. Johnson

William E. Johnson, age 93 of the Town of Wheatfield, died Sunday February 5, 2017 at his residence while under the loving care of his family and Niagara Hospice. Bill was born December 16, 1923 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late William M. and Mary (Barry) Johnson. He was an U.S. Army Veteran of WW II serving in Company E, 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, entering the Army in February of 1944 and honorably discharged as a Private in November 0f 1945. Bill took part in the battles and campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. He was a POW from September of 1944 to May of 1945 and the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Theatre Service Medal with 3 Battle Stars, the WW II Victory Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal. Bill was a Hydraulic Press Operator and Production Worker, employed by the Carborundum Co. in Niagara Falls, NY for 40 years retiring in 1983. He married Sarah J. (Ricotta) Johnson on April 8, 1953 and they lived in Lewiston from 1957 to 1984 when they moved to Mint Hill, NC where they lived for 30 years before returning here in 2015. Bill enjoyed hunting game as well as fossils. He held a great interest in space and star gazing, and geology. He will be remembered as being a very independent and generous person, but most of all as an honorable man. His wife, Sarah, predeceased him in 2016. He is survived by his children; Deborah (John) Sharpe and Donna (Dave) Gubala both of Lewiston, David Johnson of Wellsville, NY, Daniel Johnson (Betty Helms) of Concord, NC, and Douglas (Beverly) Johnson of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, John Paul Sharpe, Lindsay, Richard, and Rebecca Gubala; his great grandchildren, Aubrey and Amelia Johnson; and a sister, Marquerite Doring. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Johnson Feeley. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 11, at 10:00 am in St. Peter RC Church, 600 Center St. Lewiston, with the Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma officiating. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094 or to the Disabled American Veterans, Greater Buffalo #1, PO Box 308, Buffalo, NY 14207. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.