Paul William Johnston

Paul William Johnston, 81, of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Mr. Johnston was a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He had played professional baseball for eight years and was a member of the Salem/Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame. Paul was also the last of the founding members of the Penguin Club. He was also retired from the Salem Golf Course, after running it for 11 years. Preceding him in death were his parents, Charlie Lewis and Estelle Porter Johnston, and an infant son, David Lewis Johnston. His surviving family includes his wife of 57 years, Wilma Adkins Johnston; daughter, Patty Gladden; sons, Mike Johnston and wife, Anne, and Chuck Johnston and wife, Linda; grandchildren, Isaiah Johnston, Jessie Johnston, Jacob Gladden, Ian Hall, and Parker Hall; brother, Buck Johnston and wife, Sylvia; sisters, Dot Rhodes, Nancy Mitchell and husband, Freeman, Mary Sue Reed, Phyllis Carden, and Betty Shelor and husband, Sherman; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home's chapel. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The Rev. Dan Netting will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations made in his name may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, Inc. at 3825-A Electric Road, SW in Roanoke, Virginia 24018. Online condolences may be made to the family at johnmoakey.com. The Johnston family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 389-5441.