William John Johnson

William J. Johnson, age 96 of Tampa, FL died February 22, 2023. He was born November 11, 1926 in Altoona, PA to Glenn H. and Naomi B. Johnson. He was the eldest of eleven children. Mr. Johnson attended New Cumberland, PA schools; Gettysburg College (B.A. 1950); George Washington University (M.B.A. 1955) and took further studies at the graduate school of business, New York University. He became a CPA in 1977. He was a member of the Theta Chapter of Sigma Chi.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the “Greatest Generation”. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1947 with the rank of Sergeant. After serving in the Regular Army, he served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1958.

Following his military service and completion of his formal education, he began his career as an auditor for the U.S. General Accounting Office. From 1952-54 he served as a staff auditor with Arthur Anderson & Co. He went on to hold various management positions with Bell Systems, New York Telephone Co., AT&T and with GTE in the New York and Tampa offices. Mr. Johnson started his own CPA firm in Tampa in 1978 where he served until retirement in 2017. Mr. Johnson also served as an adjunct professor of accounting at the University of South Florida.

Mr. Johnson was active in charitable, church, community and political endeavors. In the early 1970’s he was elected to the city council and served as Mayor of Morris Township, New Jersey. He served as President of Northside Mental Health Center, Tampa, FL and he served on the Council of Finance and Administration for the Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a long-time active member of Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Tampa.

Mr. Johnson enjoyed motorcycling, sailing, and golf. He wrote poetry throughout his life and was most proud of having one of his poems published in the Wall Street Journal. He was a voracious reader who amassed an impressive library.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his loving and devoted wife of thirty-seven years, Dorothy E. Johnson. He leaves behind his children: Glenn A. (Kim) Johnson of McDonough, GA and James B. (Paula) Johnson of Tampa, FL and his step-children Barbara S. (Dave) Woods of Marietta, GA and David G. (Nena) Simmons, of Grindstone, PA. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his five brothers, Robert Z. Johnson, Edwin R. Johnson, Glenn H. Johnson, Jr., Thomas R. Johnson, and Kenneth C. Johnson and four sisters, Marjorie H. Campbell, Elinor J. Martin, Bette A. Kohn and Janice E. Jamouneau.

Mr. Johnson is predeceased by his mother and father, Glenn H. and Naomi B. Johnson of New Cumberland, PA and his sister, Jacqueline Huth of Thousand Oaks, CA.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Northside Behavioral Health Center, www.Northsidebhc.org

1215 Bruce B. Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33612.

A memorial service will be held on March 17, 2023 at 2:00 P.M Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 3207 Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618. Final interment will occur at a future date: Rolling Green Cemetery, 1811 Carlisle Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011.