William Michael Johnston

William Michael Johnston age 76 passed away peacefully, on Friday, September 13, 2024. Bill was born on September 7,1948 in Oak Park, IL to William and Esther Johnston (Malik).

Bill grew up in Westchester, IL attending Divine Providence Grammar School and St. Joseph's High School. His young life in Westchester was spent exploring "The Creek'', having fun with neighborhood friends, and playing baseball. He attended Western IL U. where he continued to play baseball and graduated with a degree in Sociology from George Williams College in Oak Brook, IL. Bill's career started out as a recreational therapist, working with patients at Riveredge Hospital and Lutheran General. A few years later, a change in career, led him into Sales. Selling steel for many Chicago Companies over the next 45 years.

Bill met his wife Barbara De Dera of 49 years in 1973 and married on March 23, 1975, (his mother's birthday). He was a loving devoted father to his four daughters, Elizabeth (Robert) McCrory, Kathleen (Jason) Hohe, Laura (Adam) Bonnette and Kristin (Noah) Reyes. They were his ''pride and joy'', and he was their "Hero". Bill loved taking them on vacations, especially to amusement parks and spent countless hours with them at summer homes, both at Gages Lake, IL and Lake Geneva, WI. He was totally involved their lives spiritually, academically and athletically. Bill was a baseball coach for our girls in softball affectionally known as Mr. Bill. He loved sports, The Bulls, Da Bears, and was a lifelong Cubs fan. It wasn't unusual for Bill to host Wippel ball games on Friday night and Sunday afternoons for his daughters and their friends in our backyard.

Survived by his wife Barbara, four daughters and eight beloved grandchildren, Brendan and Bridget McCrory, Piper and Duke Robert Hohe, Maxwell Bonnette and Noah, Olivia, and Elizabeth Reyes, sister Karin (Gary) Marousek and sister-in-law Linda (William) Weber, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Everyone that Bill knew will greatly cherish his impact on their lives through love, kindness, and his sense of humor. You never said I'm leaving, you put up a strong fight till the very end. Your many years of suffering, never complaining about your physical inflections, you can now rest free of pain. In life, we loved you dearly and in death we love you still, it breaks our hearts to lose you, but God needed you home. Until we meet again your loving family.

A Memorial Mass will be held on October 19th at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Church in Clarendon Hill, IL Donations are welcome for Crohn's disease, St. Jude's Hospital