William Albert Johns

William Johns
William Albert (Bill) Johns 85, of Queen City passed away early Monday morning (January 25, 2010) in Schuyler County Nursing Home.
The son of Russell and Nina Ruth (Sims) Johns, he was born August 21, 1924 on the family farm at Charleston, Illinois. On August 18, 1943 at Charleston he was united in marriage to Evelyn Louise Goodwin and to this union eight children were born.
Surviving are his wife of Queen City, his children, Randy Johns and wife Sharon of Queen City, Jean Sidwell and husband David of Queen City, Carol Sparks and husband Kenny of Greentop, Joyce Clay and husband Roy of Queen City, Kathie Johns of Queen City, Bob Johns of La Belle, MO, Patty Fajkus and Husband Tony of Kirksville and Teresa Tarvin of Monroe City, MO; one brother, Dean Johns and wife Bonnie of Charleston, IL, eighteen grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren and six nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bill grew up in Charleston, where at an early age he was baptized and attended the United Brethren Church. He attended the Washington grade school at Charleston and the Charleston High School graduating with the "Class of 1942". He attended one quarter at Eastern Illinois State Teachers College at Charleston before being drafted and serving for two years and seven months in the United States Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Eugene E. Elmore Destroyer Escort as a Gunner. His first tour of duty was to Casablanca, Africa. During his service in the Navy Bill traveled to Bermuda, Casablanca, Sicily, Panama Canal, Philippines, Okinawa, Korea and New Guinea. His ship encountered and sank two subs during the Anti Subpetro battle near New Guinea. Following his discharge he farmed in Illinois until 1959 when he moved to a farm east of Queen City where he farmed, managed a fertilizer business and operated Johns Seed and Supply in partnership with his son Randy until he retired. In 1987 they began spending their winters in Avon Park, FL.
He was a member of the Queen City Lodge # 380 A.F. & A.M., the York Rites Bodies in Kirksville, Moila Temple of St. Joseph, and the El Kadir Shrine. He was a charter member of the Queen City Lions Club and a member of the Schuyler County American Legion, Post 0784.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday (February 6, 2010) in the Dooley Funeral Home with Tony Fajkus and Pastor Roger Moore officiating. Music will be provided by Joyce Carnes singing, “I Will Rise” and “Amazing Grace-My Chains are Gone”. Burial with military rites will be in the Queen City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Doug Johns, Matt Johns, Mike Johns, Keith Collis, Dennis Shepherd and Cole Sidwell. Honorary bearers will be Luke Tarvin, Laith Tarvin, Andrew Fajkus and Nathan Fajkus.
Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday (February 5, 2010) in the
Dooley Funeral Home
Queen City, Missouri 660-766-2241
Memorials are suggested to the Queen City Cemetery and can be sent to or left at the funeral home, P.O. Box 155, Queen City, MO 63561.