William Ogden Johnson

William (Bill) Ogden Johnson, 95, of Leesburg, Florida died Saturday, August 12, 2023. Bill was born in Freeport, Illinois on October 7, 1927. He was the son of William Johnson and Ruth (Ogden) Schneider. He was baptized on April 9, 1936. He married Lois S. Sorn on November 12, 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for three years from 1946-1948 in Europe. He later served in the 2nd Infantry Division in the Korean Conflict. Upon arriving home he became a confirmed member of Immanuel Lutheran Church on April 6, 1952. He was employed by Northwestern Telephone Company and later ConTel for 35 years, before retiring as a plant manager in 1984. After retiring, Bill and his wife traveled throughout the United States. In 1987, they settled in Florida. After his wife’s death in 2001, he married Janice Lee of Leesburg, FL on September 20, 2003. Bill was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Leesburg, Florida.

Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and traveling. Bill “loved his family dearly” and was especially close to his granddaughter Amanda.

Bill was a strong Christian husband, father, and a man of great faith. He was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church while living in Freeport. He served as Chairman of the Congregation and also as Treasurer of the Congregation. After moving to Florida, Bill joined Bethany Lutheran Church serving as Chairman of the Trustees and an usher.

Survivors include Janice, his wife, two daughters, Deborah (David) Meyers of Freeport, Illinois and Pamela Adair of San Angelo, Texas and one granddaughter, Amanda Meyers of Freeport, Illinois and step granddaughter Christy Adair of California. Step children include Terri Chaput of South Carolina, Lori Russell and Christopher Lips of Florida, Kevin Lips of New Mexico, Jason Lips of Virginia, and John Lips, Beth Beckler, Deanna Dotson, and Jim Lips all of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, infant son, and son-in-law Joe Adair.

Visitation will be held from 4:00pm-6:00pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home 504 North Walnut Ave. Freeport, IL 61032. Funeral services will be held 11:00am on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport with Rev. Dr. Willis Schwitchenberg, officiating. A memorial service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Leesburg, Florida at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.