William Frank Johnson, Jr.

William Frank Johnson, Jr. of Brownsville passed away peacefully on June 1, 2019.

Born January 23, 1926 in Brownsville, Pa., the son of the late William Frank Johnson, Sr. and Grace (Furlong) Johnson, and brother of the late Muriel (Johnson) Schendel.  He graduated from Brownsville High School in 1943 and enrolled in pharmacy school at the University of Pittsburgh.  He was drafted into the U.S. Navy in August 1944 and served during WWII at the Bainbridge Maryland Naval Hospital.  He was honorably discharged in 1946, having served as Pharmacist Mate Second Class.  After discharge, he resumed his studies at Pitt, graduating from the School of Pharmacy in 1949. 

He and his wife Margaret (Fleming) were married in 1959 and owned several pharmacies in Brownsville over the years, most notably Central Pharmacy and Reeds Rexall Drug.  He retired in 1996.  A lifelong Presbyterian, he was very active at Central Presbyterian and later Fort Burd United Presbyterian Churches, serving as Clerk of Session for nearly 30 years.

He was a member and Post Noble Grand of the IOOF Lodge #51. He was also a longtime Board member of the Brownsville Free Public Library.  With a lifelong dedication to his community, he and his wife were active in the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce, where they were honored in 1996. Their work continued until her passing in 2001.

Bill had a passion for Rotary and was a member for 50+ years, honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1974.  His work with Rotary included serving in all officer roles at his local club and District Secretary Treasurer. He greatly enjoyed his time as editor of their weekly bulletin, The Stoker.

Above all else, his greatest joy in life was his family and cherished family vacations on the Outer Banks.  He is survived by son, Dr. William Frank Johnson III and wife Patty; daughters, Mary Grace Johnson-Bohna and husband Edward; and Muriel Johnson-Nuttall and husband (David) Eric.  He was devoted to his eight grandchildren, Dr. Amanda (Christopher) Korenoski, Elizabeth Ann Johnson and fiancé Levi Marty, Kelsey Margaret Johnson, Rachel Katherine Bohna, Jacob Edward William Bohna, Daniel Johnson Nuttall, Andrew Johnson Nuttall, and Sarah Margaret Johnson Nuttall. He was overjoyed at the addition of his great-grandson Parker William Korenoski and was looking forward to the birth of his first great-granddaughter later this month.

Friends will be received in the NOVAK FUNERAL HOME 515 Front Street, Brownsville, PA, Monday, June 3, 2019 from 2-8 PM.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Fort Burd United Presbyterian Church, 200 Thornton Road, Brownsville, PA at 11:00 AM with Rev. Jane Johnson officiating.

Interment will follow at LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, PA.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Bill’s name to Fort Burd United Presbyterian Church, 200 Thornton Road, Brownsville, PA 15417.

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