William Burk Johnston

William B. (Burk) Johnston, was born April 13, 1924, in Burkburnett, Texas, the third child of Joshua Milton and Eva Easter Johnston. His father was active in the oil patch, moving his family to the Gulf oil camp, where Bill enjoyed the companionship of his older brother Duke, and sister Maurine.

He graduated from Crane high school in the class of 1941, and joined the Army and was deployed to England and then the continent, serving in the Air Depot Group in France and Germany, supervising statistical personnel, preparing payrolls, furloughs, sick books, and maintaining service records.

After his discharge, he attended business college, then worked as a landman in the Permian Basin. He returned to Midland and purchased a home with his sister Maurine, and they founded the Midland Map Company.

In 1946, he met Clara Belle Kelton at the First Baptist Church in Midland, they married in 1947, and were joined by Patricia Ann Johnston, in 1951, the same year he joined the Flag-Redfern Oil company as a landman, and began his life long friendships with John Redfern, Sr., and Harvey Heard. In 1954, Mary Janice Johnston, completed the family, and they remained in Midland, until moving to their ranch “the Llano” in 1969.

In the mid 1960’s, Bill left the oil business and joined the First National Bank of Midland as an auditor, and later headed the bank’s development corporation while under the direction of President CJ Kelly. Following Mr. Kelly’s resignation in the early 1970’s, Bill left the bank, and after a brief retirement joined the King Ranch to help with their oil holdings, before his final retirement.

His daughter Pat, while a student at Baylor, succumbed to cancer, in 1973. Mary Janice graduated from Baylor, and Baylor nursing School, and while working at Scott & White Hospital, met and married Dr. James Yost and settled in San Angelo, Texas.

Mr. Johnston was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister, wife Clarabelle, and daughter Patricia Ann; and is survived by his daughter, Mary Janice Yost, son-in-law Dr. James Yost, his “favorite” grandchildren, grandson Josh Yost, his wife Allison, great grandsons Calvin and Connor, and his granddaughter, Julie Margaret Yost, nieces Virginia , Lynn, Shannon, and nephew Jeff Johnston.

Our family has been fortunate to have such a kind, generous, caring patriarch whose insight and wisdom has carried us safely through difficult times; we are grateful for so much time together and will love and miss him always.

The family requests in lieu of flowers any donations in his name to be made to your favorite charity.

There will be a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017.

Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com