Billy (Bill) Johnston

Bill passed away August 26, 2021 with family beside him after a brief illness. Bill Johnston was born August 12, 1944 in the Brushy Creek Community, Texas. He grew up in the country and was the middle of twelve children. He was proud he was taught to work hard, starting with the cotton fields as a child to the hay fields and saw mill, where he tripped logs.

Billy served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He loved hunting, fishing, hiking, buying junk, watching the grandkids play ball and sitting in his "park." He loved to garden, but admitted he did not have the "green thumb" his daddy and Tom had.

Mr. Johnston is preceded in death by his son, Jesse Johnston; parents, William Morris and Birtie Lou Johnston; sister, Anna Bell Johnston; and brothers: Thomas "Tom" William Johnston, James Johnston and Bobby Ray Johnston.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 1/2 years, Brenda Johnston, of Palestine; son, Roland and Shelly Johnston of Athens; daughter, Kerri and Barry Barnett of Martins Mill; son, Wade and Terina Pierce of Tyler; daughter, Melissa and Herman Snider of Chandler; daughter, Margie Johnston of Pearland; daughter, Polly Johnston of Frankston; eighteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers: Mary Hall of Gladewater, Francis Eaton of Palestine, Glenda and Jimmy Ballard of Whitehouse, Brenda Sue and Steve Richardson of Palestine, Dave and Karen Johnston of Palestine, Betty Lou Reid of Louisiana and Barney and Dionne Johnston of Mabank; and sisters-in-law: Pat Johnston of Palestine, Wanda Johnston of Palestine and Gay Lynn (Johnston) Wilbanks and husband, Randy, of Palestine.

Pallbearers will be Kris Johnston, Ben Johnston, Danny Johnston, Steve Richardson, Ronnie Crawford, Dakota Patterson, Scott Washington and Tim Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons and Delbert Crawford, Donnie Davis, Mike Loper, Sammy Loper and Robert Kirkland.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm Sunday at the funeral home.