Fr. William "Bill" Johnson Jr.

Fr. Bill Johnson passed away on December 17, 2024. Bill was born in Alhambra, CA and was raised in Southern California. He was preceded in death by his parents Beatrice and William Johnson and is survived by his brother John Quinn, Sr. (Bing), sister Nolene (Mickey) Frederiksen (Dick), brother Dale Johnson (Alma) and sister Kathy Calvano as well as his seven nieces and nephews. Bill attended Don Bosco High School in San Gabriel, which was where he returned to teach mathematics as a young man. He also taught at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, and won the respect and admiration of many of his students for his ability to teach math with ease and support the academic and spiritual growth of his students. He remained friends with many of his former students throughout his life.
Fr. Bill briefly entered both the Salesian order as well as the Jesuits, but finally determined that he would prefer to be a Diocesan priest as his true vocation. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 9, 1983 in the Diocese of Oakland. His ministry included: St. Perpetua Parish, Lafayette-Parochial Vicar (1983-1986), St. Anthony, Oakland-Parochial Vicar (1983-1990), St. John the Baptist Parish, San Lorenzo-Parochial Vicar (1990-1991), St. Augustine Parish, Oakland- Parochial Administrator (1992-1997). In 1999 Fr. Bill turned his vocation ministry toward Hospital Ministry, where he served as Chaplain at several hospitals in the East Bay from 1999 until his retirement on 7/1/2017. It was in this final ministry that Bill felt especially called to serve others and assist those who needed to feel the presence of God through a compassionate listening ear, gentle counsel and sacramental healing. These years brought joy and fulfillment to Fr. Bill, and he touched many lives through his work as a hospital chaplain. During these years Fr. Bill remained active in parish ministry at St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg and Queen of All Saints in Concord. The funeral Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 27th at 10:30 am at Christ the King Church, 199 Brandon Road in Pleasant Hill. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette, CA