James William "Bill" Johnson

James William "Bill" Johnson

James William "Bill" Johnson, 88, of Bedford, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, in Fairmont Crossing Health and Rehab. Born Oct. 7, 1921, in Bedford County, he was the son of the late James Alfred Johnson and Elizabeth Jane Key Johnson.

Bill was a member of Thaxton Baptist Church. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart Award while serving in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a member of Bedford Moose Lodge #1897 and a life member of VFW Peaks of Otter Post #2157.

Bill attended Penicks School in Thaxton, and later graduated from Montvale High School. After graduation, he worked at Piedmont Label until he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He trained in the U.S. and was later sent overseas and landed on Omaha Beach thirteen days after D-Day. He was in the Battle of St. Loa and then on Patton's Drive into the Brittany Peninsula, where he was wounded.

When he returned home from service, his family was operating a tomato cannery and farming. He and his father became co-owners of Peaks Cannery. Bill and his father were very close and always worked together. They also had an orchard of apples and peaches, which they sold for many years.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a son, James Randall Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Hayslett-Johnson; a daughter, Pamela J. Bowling, of Bedford; a granddaughter, Marlene Witt Meador and her husband, Michael, of Bedford; three great-grandchildren, Brandie Witt, Macey Arthur and Johnathan Arthur; and a sister, Virginia B. Johnson Hawkins and her husband, Clifton, of Lynchburg; one niece; two nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bedford Life Saving Crew, PO Box 161, Bedford, VA 24523 or Thaxton Baptist Church, PO Box 32, Thaxton, VA 24174.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Judy and Barbara, of Hospice of the Hills, and the staff of Fairmont Crossing Health and Rehab.

A celebration of Bill's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in the Tharp Funeral Chapel with Dr. Eldridge V. Cullum officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. today, Nov. 15, 2009, at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneral

home.com.