Leland L. 'Bill' Johnson

Bill Johnson, 89, of Fairfield died at 7:45PM on Wednesday, July 15th at this home.

Bill spent his life in the oil and gas industry working in roles that took him and his family to Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. After returning to the United States, he took a position as VP of North American Operations for Forwest, a French oil drilling company. He retired to Wayne County in 1992, but continued consulting for several multinational companies. He served as a board member for the International Association of Drilling Contractors for many years. Wherever he lived he was an active member of the local church community.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Mt. Erie Christian Church with burial to follow in the Cisne Cemetery. Visitation will be held from noon to funeral time on Saturday at the church.

He was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on Aug. 16, 1925 to Atwood and Gladys (Dye) Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patty Rae (Funk) Johnson; 4 children, Tom (Mae) Johnson of Katy, Texas, Diane (Larry Glen) Taylor of Fairfield, Teena (Ron) Wolfe of Phoenix, AZ, Andrew (Ingrid) Johnson of St. Louis, MO; Brother in law C. E. Funk of Winston Salem, NC; 9 grandchildren, Lee Johnson, Lincoln Johnson, Laura Chaumont, Jarid Johnson, Dillon Johnson, Robin Mayes, Maegan Wolfe, Daniel Johnson, Oliver Johnson, and 9 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jack Johnson, sisters Isabelle Farleigh and Mildred Clay, and a grandson Jamie Taylor.