Bill Norman Johnson

Bill Norman Johnson

11/2/1936 2/12/2003

Bill Norman Johnson was born November 2, 1936, in Ringold, Oklahoma. He died February 12, 2003 in Durant, Oklahoma after battling diabetes and cardiac disease.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Johnson, his parents, William and Viola Johnson, as well as sisters, Angela Whisler and Verdi Merchant.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Joyce, of Milburn, Oklahoma, with whom he shared many good times in Bakersfield, California and in Oklahoma. He is also survived by six children, son, Mike Tasos and wife, Vicki of Cumming, Georgia; daughter Kim Hollar and husband, Ron of Bakersfield; son, Matt Tasos of Bakersfield; son, Allan Johnson and wife, Jennifer of Bakersfield; daughter, Tracy Collins and husband, Donald of Bakersfield; and son, Marty Tasos and wife, Lori of Madera, California. There are also 16 grandchildren who will miss their Grandpa. Also surviving Bill are sisters, Oleta Biggs of Milburn, Jimmie Bishop of Bakersfield, and Margaret Magee of Bakersfield. He is also survived by a brother, Osborne Johnson of Mehame, Oregon. Finally there are numerous brothers-in-law, a 92-year-old mother-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss Bill.

Bill started working at the age of 12 in a grocery store and never really left the business. He was the owner of Dollar Bills in Wapanucka at the time of his death. In Bakersfield, he was the owner of a hugely successful independent grocery store chain, Food Town Markets, which at its peak, consisted of six stores. He was also an entrepreneur, parlaying his love of livestock into a successful feed store venture, The Grainery, in Bakersfield.

While in Bakersfield, Bill was the president of the Kern Grocers Association, sat on the Board of Directors of United Grocers, was the foreman of the Kern County Grand Jury and was a member of the Kern County Sheriffs Mounted Posse, where he loved to go on those long rides, taking in some beautiful scenery.

Bill loved dabbling in the cattle business and supported his children in their efforts by being involved in 4-H in Bakersfield. He also raised cattle in Bakersfield and Oklahoma. Bill was also a Mason.

Funeral services were held in Milburn, Oklahoma, February 17, 2003. Memorial services in Bakersfield are pending.