William "Bill" Alfred Johnson
William "Bill" Alfred Johnson, 80, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Bill will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and friend to many. He touched so many lives and cared deeply for people.
Bill is survived by his wife, Michele Rene (Wright) Johnson; his brother Chip Johnson; his adopted daughter from his second marriage, Ali Johnson; his stepson, Jack and his wife Janene Burdick, with their four children, John, Joy, Joshua, and Elizabeth Burdick; his stepson, Steve and his wife Malissa Burdick, and their two children, William and Sarah Grace Burdick, and his brother-in-law, Michael Patrick Wright.
Bill was born in Chattanooga, on April 24, 1944, to Alfred M.E. Johnson of Michigan, and Ruth Arnold of Chattanooga. He graduated salutatorian from East Ridge High School in 1962, and enrolled in Sewanee, the University of the South as a chemistry major. Bill loved the All Saints Chapel, especially the Lessons and Carols, and would in subsequent years, take his family to the chapel for Christmas services.
Bill enlisted in the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam from 1967 through 1968. He was a member of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry and walked point with an M-79, then later became the radio operator until he was injured jumping from a chopper during heavy fire from enemy combatants. Unable to return to the field, he then became the liaison between the field hospital in La Trang and the 4th Infantry. Bill returned home to Chattanooga shortly before Thanksgiving in 1968. Bill made many close friends during his service and still had contact with his fellow veterans until his death.
Bill graduated from University of Knoxville, and a few years later, met his first wife, Sherry Winter. They relocated to Little Rock, Ar., where they were bond brokers. Several years later, they then moved back to Knoxville, Tn., with Sherry’s two sons from her first marriage. Sherry passed away in 1998 from cancer.
Bill then married his third wife Michele in 2005 in a beautiful ceremony at their home on Lookout Mountain, Ga., with his childhood friend, Albert Baker officiating.
Bill was a lifetime member of both the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Bill understood the enormous challenges combat veterans faced when returning home from oversees. He worked tirelessly to help returning combat veterans open dialog to talk about their experiences, in an effort to help prevent veteran suicide.
In 2017, Bill participated in the Veterans History Project, where he was interviewed by Joe Galloway. He talked about his memories of his service in Vietnam, and the various challenges that faced servicemen during that war.
Bill was also active in the Vietnam Veterans Reunion held each year at Townsend, Tn. This reunion was an incredible way for Vietnam veterans to openly talk about their experiences, without fear of reprisal, such as they were treated when returning home from Vietnam.
He will be missed by everyone who loved him.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, with military honors.
Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Suite B, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421, 423 362-5999.