William "Bud" Johnson

If you knew him, you loved him. And, boy did everyone love him. Early Thursday, May 5, William “Bud” Johnson left the stage and the world is a lesser place for it. He was 86-years old and surrounded by love in his Torrance home. Kind. Funny. Charming. Friend to many, father to five kids, husband to two wonderful women, uncle to countless cousins and loving grandpa. Bud lived a good life and weathered more than most with barely a shrug.

Bud’s radiant smile and sharp sense of humor impacted people far and wide, from the little league and softball fields of North Torrance and the forests of the San Bernardino mountains to pretty much wherever he went. He also had an especially large impact on all those countless nieces and nephews, all of whom loved their Uncle Bud, and on his children’s friends, who will always know him as “Mr. Johnson.” He knew no prejudice nor judgment, and patiently offered simple advice and a place to say your piece.

Bud worked as a steel structural draftsman all of his adult life, starting at Bethlehem Steel and continuing until retiring from Dovell Engineering in Downey, California. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Polly for her job in sales and spending time at their cabin in the Sugarloaf area of Big Bear, California.

Bud is survived by his wife, Polly; daughter, Debbie; son, Bill (Janice); daughter, Jodi (Tim); daughter, Cindy; son, Dennis (Stacy); and his brother, James. He had seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild on the way. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Pat; parents, Chester and Mary Alice; and grandson, Christopher.

Bud was always up for a good time so naturally there will be a celebration of his remarkable life on Thursday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a light lunch of his favorite Giuliano’s sandwiches and (of course) German chocolate cake cupcakes, as well as soft drinks, coffee and tea. Please join his family in remembering this wonderful man.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to advance research under the direction of Dr. Sven de Vos at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. We make this request as a way of saying "Thank You” for giving Bud an additional 17 years with his loved ones.

Donations may be directed to the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, Attn: Melissa Brody, 8-950 Factor Bldg, Box 951780, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1780; (310) 206-0675; www.cancer.ucla.edu/donate. Please indicate your gift is in memory of Bud Johnson.