Bill Johnson

He attended Uintah Elementary, Roosevelt Jr High, and graduated from East High School in 1946. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1950 with a degree in Fine Arts. During his time as a university student, Bill became a member of the Utah Symphony playing percussion.

Bill Served an LDS mission in Argentina from 1950 to 1953 and he retained his Spanish language skills throughout his life.

After his mission, Bill graduated from the Naval Academy of music and served a tour of duty with the U. S. Army in Fort Lee, Virginia and Washington, D. C.

After his military service, he returned to the Utah symphony, was employed by the State Road Commission, and completed a teaching certificate. He then left the road commission to become the music director at Murray High School.

In July of 1964, he married Shyrleen Ann Hogan (later divorced). They had two children: Jeff (Priscilla) Johnson and Jamelle (Paul) Chadwick and three grandchildren, Dax (Sara) Johnson, Madison (Brandin) Jones, and MaKayla (Dakoda) Lindsay, one great-granddaughter and another one on the way.

In 1985, he met his longtime companion, Linda Williams, and together they lived in Utah, California and Arizona.

Bill was a gifted musician; he began playing the drums at age 6. He studied with Norman Martin and Dale Beasley. He enjoyed performing at events such as the 24th of July parade. He began to study piano at the age of 10. He continued his music education all through his school years and majored in music at the University of Utah. While attending the University, he worked two summers in Bryce Canyon and entertained on the piano at night.

He became principal percussionist with the Utah Symphony under the direction of Maurice Abravanel. He enjoyed his time with the symphony and was with them on their first tour of Europe, which included a stop in New York and performance at Carnegie Hall. They later toured South and Central America.

As the music teacher at Murray High School, he expanded the pep and dance bands and the marching band, who performed for President Kennedy in 1963, at the airport and Hotel Utah. President Kennedy even tousled Bill’s red hair as he departed his convertible going into Hotel Utah and complimented the band. He also directed the various choirs: A ’Capella, Madrigals, and Junior Choirs. He was instrumental in organizing “the Spotlight on Youth” choral concert – an event that brought 540 students together from 4 different high schools in the Salt Lake Valley to perform with the Utah Symphony.

He also was guest conductor for numerous local orchestras and the Scottsdale Symphony orchestra.

Bill was an avid reader. He loved animals and learning about the world.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ronny Dix Johnson.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at the Legacy Retirement Residence, where he has lived the last two years since returning from Phoenix, Arizona. A special thanks also to Alta Ridge Memory Care and Ashby Hospice for their assistance in his final days.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday June 18th 2021 at 3:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 2:00 pm. Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 S Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84106.

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