William "Bill" Fred Johnson

William “Bill” Fred Johnson of Hawley, MN, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the Sanford Hospice House after a long cancer battle. He was born on November 28, 1946 (Thanksgiving Day) in Ada, MN, to Boyd & Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson. 

 Bill was raised on a farm near Flom, MN. He attended Flom School through the 4th grade and then went to Twin Valley School where he graduated in 1964. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1966. His first job when returning from the service was hauling milk for the Flom Creamery. He attempted farming for a time and worked various jobs until working in sugarbeet research for 18 years, sold cars for a number of years, and also worked in soybean research. Bill raised cattle for many years and had beautiful gardens. After retiring, he sold produce at farmers markets. Due to health issues, he eventually had to sell the cattle and had a smaller garden and was proud to donate to the Dorothy Day House. The last two years combined he donated over 1000 lbs. of produce. He also enjoyed baking and for the past several years made hundreds of cookies at Christmas time which we shared with family, neighbors, and friends. Bill was not one to sit idle, was always working on something, and enjoyed country living. In earlier years, he and Mary enjoyed old-time dances. He was a member of the Flom VFW Post 3818.

 He married Mary Zimmer on April 22, 1972, in Rugby, ND. They have a daughter Shireen and son Sheridan. He and Mary enjoyed a trip to Germany several years ago, Disney World, and a road trip to Washington for sightseeing and to visit relatives.

 Bill is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Shireen (Harley) Regier of Hawley and grandson Isaac Regier of Halstad, MN; and son Sheridan (Aimee) Johnson of Anoka, MN, granddaughter Emma Johnson and grandsons Kolden Johnson, Brady Miles, and Lincoln Miles. He is also survived by siblings Bonnie Swenson, Donald (Kay) Johnson, Sandy Seykora, Duane “Butch” (Carol) Johnson, and Betty (Dale) Thompson; and brother-in-law Gerald Lien. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Boyd & Dorothy Johnson, a sister Donna Lien, and brothers-in-law Lyle Seykora and Gorden “Lefty” Swenson; a nephew Jeffrey Seykora and niece Brenda Seykora; parents-in-law Urban & Marie Zimmer, and sister-in-law and husband Barbara and Robert VanDyken.

 We would like to thank Bill’s medical teams through his cancer battles and the wonderful caring staff at the Sanford Hospice House. 

 In lieu of flowers, reconnect with someone you haven’t heard from for a while. Spreading dollars makes us feel good, but spreading kindness and laughter builds friendships and joy! Or memorials can be given to the Sanford Hospice House, Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.

The memorial service will be recorded and posted here on Bill's webpage on Saturday afternoon.