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WILLIAM DAVID JOHNSTON
Born: Jul 27, 1934
Date of Passing: Jun 19, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM DAVID JOHNSTON July 27, 1934 - June 19, 2018 William (Bill) David Johnston, Colonel (retired), aged 83, passed away peacefully at Grace Hospital after having recently been diagnosed with cancer. He held firmly to the hand of his wife of 60 years, Margaret (nee Watson), as he passed on. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife Margaret, his brother John (Sandra), his sons, Glenn (Cathy), Gord (Pam - deceased) and Doug (Karen), his daughter Kathryn, and his grandchildren, Caitlin, Patrick, Megan, David and Chamonix. Bill was born in Toronto where at the age of 18 he joined the military, proudly serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 37 years in the field of Construction Engineering. His service saw him and his family posted all across Canada, as well as a posting to Germany. After formally retiring from the military in 1989 he was briefly involved in consulting work in the very early days of the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line clean-up project in the Canadian Arctic. Upon full retirement he and Margaret enjoyed several years of taking trips together before settling into a quiet life. He was an avid reader, very adept at completing even the hardest of crossword puzzles, and enjoyed creating and maintaining beautiful flower gardens around his home. Memorial service will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue on Friday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7, 204-837-0375. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Grace Hospital and at Sturgeon Creek I, the senior's residence where Bill and Margaret enjoyed the past few years together. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2018
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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First, my condolences to Marg and family. Bill was the reason I entered Royal Roads Military College in 1952 rather than go directly into RMC. Subsequently Bill and I served in the RCAF Construction Engineering Branch and latterly the Canadian Forces Military Engineering Branch where Bill distinguished himself as a leader and engineer. Bill was a 'hands on' person, who lead from the front. He will be missed by his many comrades. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Major General Norm Freeman (Fellow Classmate and Military Engineer) on: Jun 28, 2018
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Margaret and family, Gail and I send sincere condolences to Margaret and the family on their great loss. Colonel Bill's special leadership and mentoring skills for numerous CE officers go back, for me, to the first encounter at Tech/CE Introduction at Stn Centralia in 1962. His guidance and friendship continued for those many years and was enhanced by our relationship with Margaret and the family in Winnipeg and Ottawa. We share your sorrow. To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. God bless you all! Ed and Gail - Posted by: Colonel (Retd) Ed and Gail Everest (Fellow RCAF Military Engineer ) on: Jun 26, 2018
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Our deepest condolences to Margaret and the family. Bill was a great military engineer with a very practical approach to problems and a good sense of humour. I especially enjoyed my time at Air Command working with him. Jean and I also enjoyed our times with him and Margaret at the Officer's Mess especially the Octoberfest functions. Louis and Jean Richard Calgary, AB - Posted by: Louis Richard CD1, LCol retired (Fellow Military Engineer ) on: Jun 26, 2018
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I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Colonel Bill Johnston, an RCAF friend and former military engineering branch colleague who I highly regarded and respected-and of whom I have many fond memories. I send heartfelt condolences to Margaret and the Johnston family on their loss. I first met Bill when he served at RCAF Station Beaverbank as the station construction engineer-around 1960. Since then our paths crossed many times until retirements in 1989/90. Colonel Bill was standout in our business of construction engineering, much admired for his excellent leadership, professional competence, creativity, and affable personality. He was successful in every position he held-e.g. base engineer, commanding officer, deputy chief of staff-and thus gained a wide reputation as a top notch and very well-liked senior officer. I send warm best wishes to Margaret at this difficult time- and thank her for her significant contribution to Bill's career. - Posted by: John Woods (Major General Retired) ( Friend and former colleague) on: Jun 25, 2018
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The Canadian Military Engineers extend to you and your family our deepest sympathies in your time of sorrow. Brigadier-General Steve M. Irwin, CD (Retired) Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Military Engineers https://cmea-agmc.ca/cme-family-last-post - Posted by: Canadian Military Engineers Association (Military Colleagues) on: Jun 25, 2018
