Jim Wayne Johnson

He was born on November 22, 1935, in Bedford, Indiana to Fay E Johnson and Villa L (Monday) Johnson. He was the 7th of 8 children born to Fay and Villa.

Growing up, his family lived on a farm in the rural area of Bedford known as Shawswick Township. He learned to work on the farm at an early age, and he would hire himself out to other local farmers as a hired hand with the blessing of his father as long as he finished his own daily chores at home, which he always did. Jim always took pride in his tractor driving skills which served him well throughout life, whether it was driving tanks in the Army, or driving tractors to clear and grade roads in his local community while living in Show Low, Arizona during retirement.

Jim graduated from Shawswick High School in 1954. During his time at Shawswick, he played basketball, baseball, and excelled at track and field. As a starting point guard on the basketball team, he helped lead Shawswick to their first ever Sectional Championship in the Indiana Basketball State Tournament. He was also active in school plays, playing the lead part in two consecutive years.

On June 8, 1956, Jim married the love of his life, Wilma Jean Wever. Together they celebrated 67 years of marriage and happiness. They had one child, Wesley Andrew Johnson, who was born in 1961.

Jim served honorably in the US Army and won the prestigious Recruit of the Day recognition at Fort Knox, Kentucky during his time in the service.

The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1964. Jim continued his career in the automotive parts industry which he began in Indiana, and went to work for Apco Auto Parts in Phoenix. He was a store manager with the company and finished his entire career until retirement with Apco.

During retirement, Jim and Wilma traveled the US and maintained a residence in Show Low, Arizona and in the Phoenix area. They also attended Sun City Church of the Nazarene in Sun City, Arizona.

Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid blood donor for the better part of his life. He had a great mechanical mind, and he could figure out a solution to almost any problem. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Wilma, son Wes, brother Jack Johnson, sister Vera Quackenbush, four grandchildren Aaron Johnson, Adam Johnson, Alicia Manzano, and Ciara Johnson, and 9 great grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Fay and Villa, brothers Ben Johnson, Ken Johnson, and Russell Johnson, and sisters May Newkirk and Rose Cummings.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Sunland Memorial Park located at 15826 N Del Webb Blvd in Sun City, Arizona. Dr. Dirk Ellis will officiate. Rev. Gregg Counce will be the music director.