William B. "Bill" Johanson's Obituary
William B. “Bill” Johanson, age 81, passed away on July 25, 2024. He was born on July 8, 1943, to Henry and Dorothy (Newberry) Johanson in Chicago, IL. Bill grew up in Hudson Lake, Indiana, and graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1961. He subsequently enrolled at Indiana University, obtaining his BS degree in Radio and Television Production and Direction in 1966. In 1967, Bill joined the US Army and served his country in South Vietnam, first in the field as a Radiotelephone Operator and later in the Public Information Office as a Broadcast Specialist, both as part of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division. After he was Honorably Discharged in 1967, he resumed his education at Indiana University, obtaining his MS in Instructional Systems Technology in 1970. Following graduation, he joined Consumer Power / Consumers Energy where he worked for 33 years serving the communities of Jackson, Manistee, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and finally Muskegon, Michigan where he retired as an Area Manager.
Bill’s family was the key tenet in his life. His own immediate family began in 1970 when he married, Kristin (Hinkle), of Hobart, on May 17, 1970. Together, they, along with their two children, had many adventures throughout Michigan and Indiana and made many friends along the way. Many of these adventures included camping, kayaking, visiting Civil War sites, and an obscene amount of rock hunting. These adventures were soon joined by three grandsons, who Bill adored deeply. Everything was also always well documented. Rarely seen without his camera bag, Bill was an amazing photographer.
Music was always a large part of Bill’s life. He played both the saxophone and bass guitar in 5 different bands spanning almost 50 years. It began with the “Phantom Five” in South Bend, Indiana, continued with “The Fugitives” while living in Bloomington, Indiana and ending with “Off The Record” (OTR) in Muskegon, Michigan, with his last gig in 2010. This love of music also led to meeting the love of his life of 54 years, Kristin, as she was a fellow IU student and employee of the Village Pump in Bloomington, where “The Fugitives” were the house band.
Bill was heavily involved with various community organizations. None more so than the Muskegon Rotary, where he eventually became editor of the “Rotary in Motion” newsletter. His editorial skills were honed over almost 50 years of editorial work across numerous corporate newsletters.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kristin (Hinkle), along with two children, Carrie (Brian) Kelly and William “Bubby” (Sherry Bender) Johanson; grandchildren, Tyler Kelly, Alex Kelly, and Drew Kelly; brother, Raymond (Cindy) Johanson and sister-in-law, Jodell Johanson. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gordon Johanson, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Johanson.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Service, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. A VISITATION with Bill’s family will be held the evening prior at the funeral home from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. MEMORIALS can be directed to the Muskegon Rotary Fund or the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs Memorial Fund. Share memories at www.sytsemafh.com.
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