William Fawer Johnson

William Fawver Johnson, known to friends and family as Chip, died at 77 years of age the morning of Sunday, Feb 8, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was surrounded in his last days with his loved ones, and passed peacefully in his sleep to the sound of the first birds of the morning.

The son of Capt. William Armstead “Bill” Johnson and Marion Margaret Fawver, Chip was born in 1948 in Altadena, California. His parents originated in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Temple City, California, respectively.

Owing to his father’s duty in the Navy, Chip grew up between Southern California, Patuxent River MD, Honolulu HI, Hanover MA, and Olathe KS before attending the University of Kansas, University of Minnesota, and graduating from the University of Washington with a BS in Geology and Oceanography.

Following his father’s footsteps into the Navy, Chip received his officer’s commission and did his first tour of duty on USS Harkness, then attended Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, achieving a MS in Oceanography.

In Monterey, Chip met his wife of these 48 years, Leigh Ann Strangman, the daughter of Capt. William Leigh Strangman and Margaret Ann Giles of Salinas, CA. They met rock climbing, and developed a keen love of backpacking in the Sierras.

Together they traveled the world as Chip received postings in Honolulu HI, USS Constellation in San Diego CA and Bremerton WA, HMS Warrior in Northwood UK, the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC, and NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines. Chip retired as a U.S, Navy Captain.

After retirement, Chip took up teaching earth sciences in Nevada County CA where he was able to rekindle his love of the outdoors with hiking and backpacking trips with his friends and children up and down the west coast. He spent his final years in Waynesville NC amongst the Great Smoky Mountains. In his travels Chip visited all 50 states, five US districts and territories, and 36 countries.

Chip is survived by his wife, Leigh,his children Will and Erin, five (soon to be six) grandchildren, and a multitude of friends. All share the conviction that Chip was a wonderful father and husband, one of the kindest men you’d ever meet with a keen and ever-present sense of humor, and an all around great guy who will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s or to Wounded Warrior Project.

A memorial service will be held on April 24th at 2:00 pm located at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.

The care of William Fawver Johnson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.