William "Bill" Johnson

William "Bill" Richard Johnson passed away peacefully with his beloved wife by his side on May 19, 2025.

William "Bill" Johnson was born on March 9, 1935, to H. Louis and Clara Dorethea (Sorensen) Johnson at the Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He graduated from Alden High School in Alden, MN, in 1953. In 1954, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea in 1955. After his honorable discharge in October 1962, he returned to Albert Lea and worked at First Bank from 1957 to 1963.

It was at First Bank, where he worked as an auditor, that he met the love of his life, Bernadine "Bunny" Callahan. They were united in marriage on June 6, 1959. After marrying, they settled in Albert Lea, MN, and soon moved to Alden, MN, when Bill began working at 1st National Bank (later Americana Bank) as a cashier from 1963 to 1970. He was elected Vice President and Director from 1970 to 1977, and then served as President and Director of American State Bank in Alden and Hayward, Minnesota, until 1990.

In 1993, Bill and Bunny moved to Pipestone, MN, where he served as president of First Farmers and Merchants Bank until his retirement in 2007. He was a devoted member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone.

Bill was actively involved in many organizations and community efforts over the years. His contributions included serving as Mayor of Alden, member of the Alden School Board, teaching banking classes at Alden High School, and receiving the Distinguished Service Award. He also served two years on the County Residential Committee for United Way, held the role of County Commissioner while living in Alden and Pipestone, was a longtime Kiwanis member, served on the finance council at St. Leo's Catholic Church, and performed in many beloved roles with the Calumet Players community theatre.

Bill especially enjoyed golfing, spending time in the yard, and watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in sports, dance, theater, and other activities. He was a proud fan of the Minnesota Gophers and Vikings. Bill also loved to travel with Bunny-whether going on cruises, taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland, and road-tripping to Branson. They shared many unforgettable adventures together.

He will be remembered for his sharp sense of humor, captivating storytelling, and ever-present video-taping that captured countless cherished family moments.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife, Bunny Johnson of Pipestone, MN; his children, Kimberly Goette of Blooming Prairie, MN, and Brad Johnson of Marshall, MN; and daughter-in-law, Carla Johnson of Benson, MN. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ranell (Isreal) Wacek and their six children; Randi (Jon) Peterson and their four children; Ryan (Megan) Goette and their three children; Riley Allison; Emillie (Karl) Larsen and their four children; Courtney (Carl) Lindblad and their four children; William (Elizabeth) Johnson and their three children; and Cassandra (Jacob) Cummings and their two children.

He was preceded in death by his son, Craig Johnson; son-in-law, Dean Goette; his parents; and two siblings, Hazel Fulton and Lloyd Johnson