William Steck Johnson

William Steck Johnson Obituary William Steck Johnson, 86, of Eagles Mere, PA. and Coral Gables, Fla., died on September 13, 2005, in Katonah, N.Y. attended by his loving family. “Bill” was born on July 4, 1919 in Lewisburg, PA. to Albert W. Johnson and Mary Steck Johnson. Keeping with the family tradition, in 1941 Bill graduated from Bucknell University then received an MBA in economics from Columbia University in 1946. Always committed to his community, Bill was a Mason, a Shriner, and a devoted member of his local churches (Bloomsburg Presbyterian Church and the Coral Gables Congregational Church). He was also a member of the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., The Elks, and the Paddy Mountain Boys Rod and Gun Club on Penn’s Creek. As a member of the greatest generation, during WWII Bill honorably served the country he loved in the Navy as a Lt. Commander primarily on the USS Milwaukee. He directed the landing of a hospital ship during the allied invasion of Hitler's Europe. Bill was a skilled athlete and had a lifelong passion for golf. Among his many golf accomplishments; he was the captain of Bucknell’s first competitive golf team, five times Club Champion at the Eagles Mere Country Club, and held the Eagles Mere Country Club course record on the old course at 64 along with Sam Snead. Bill was also a two time club champ at both the Susquehanna and Hazelton Country Clubs. For many happy years he owned a successful business in Berwick, PA: Bill Johnson Chevrolet and Cadillac. Subsequent to selling his business he became a stock broker with Kidder Peabody, where his beloved brother Van had a career before his untimely death at 41. A lover of animals and nature, Bill saw the simple as majestic, and made those he loved laugh and experience their individuality. In Berwick, he and Jean were the owners of Bell Bend Farm where they bred and owned numerous successful thoroughbred race horses, including Stakes Winners Love Jenny and Leslie J. He loved and respected his horses as he did his family. A gentleman, a statesman, the life of the party, the epitome of integrity, Bill Johnson will be missed in all the circles he created and in every party that now knows the “presence of his absence”. Bill is survived by his wife Jean (Jenny Koogle), his children: Dicki Macy, Toni Dance, Bob Bressler, Doug Bressler, Steck Johnson, Jamie Kilgore, Leslie Johnson and nine grandchildren. One of eleven children, he is also survived by two brothers; David and Fred Johnson, and a sister, Diana Sigler. A Memorial Service will be held in July 2006 in Eagles Mere, Pa. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Easter Seals society. To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Steck Johnson, please visit our flower store.