W. Clayton Johnson

W. Clayton Johnson
W. Clayton Johnson, born September 25, 1924 passed to his heavenly Father at his home on November 17th,
He was born in Duluth, Minnesota where he grew up until his country called him to the US Army Air Corp where he served in the European Theatre of WWII as a flight engineer/gunner on a B26 bomber. Upon return from the war he met and married the love of his life, Vada Colleen Salo, on December 21st, 1948.
He then, through unique circumstances attended the University of Miami where he was a collegiate Golden Gloves boxing champion while earning a degree in accounting. W. Clayton then attended the FBI training academy at Quantico and served as a field agent from 1951 to 1958. During this period he earned a law degree from New York University. Over the next 10 years he was a
prosecutor, public defender, and a private practice attorney until accepting an appointment to the judicial bench in Broward County, Florida. He served as a distinguished judge for the next 28 years until his retirement in 1996. Upon retirement as an active judge he
relocated to Palmetto, Florida and continued to serve as a senior judge when called upon until 2003.
When his country called him to war, when the FBI needed him, and when State for Florida Judicial Circuit called upon him there were no questions. Simply the answer … "I Am Ready"
W. Clayton Johnson is survived by his wife of 68 years, Vada C. (Salo): daughter, Laura Good (John) of Deerfield Beach, Florida; son, Clayton D. (Kim) of Palmetto, Florida; grandsons, Tyler Good and Kyle Good, of Pompano Beach, Florida and granddaughters, Kaitlyn Johnson and Kristen Johnson of Palmetto, Florida.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 25th, 2017 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church–Bradenton, Florida, located at 1402 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. A Celebration of Life gathering will follow at the home of their son. An internment at Sarasota National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to:
Manatee Community Foundation in honor of W. Clayton Johnson.
Checks payable to: Manatee Community Foundation 2820 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205.