William Nova Johnson

William Nova Johnson, 85, of rural Queen City, MO, passed away at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL on January 17th, 2023.

William was born on October 11th, 1937 to Nova and Kathleen (Gosser) Johnson on the family farm north of Queen City, MO. His family attended the New Hope Methodist Church.  He attended West Linn Grove School and then Queen City High School where he graduated in 1955.

In 1957, he met Jo Anna Starbuck, and they wed on June 14th, 1959 at the Queen City Baptist Church. They went on to have two daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara.

William and Jo Anna ran a dairy, beef, and row crop farm. He was a long time member of Dairy Farmers of America and the Queen City Lions Club.  He also served as a MFA Oil delegate. William was a big St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and listened to every game on the radio.

William is survived by his wife, Jo Anna Johnson; two daughters: Elizabeth (Michael) Oberman of Queen City, MO and Barbara Hawley of Columbia, MO; five grandchildren: April (Benjamin) Bartlett of Kirksville, MO, Tony (Abby) Oberman of Queen City, MO, Whitney Oberman of Columbia, MO, Chris (Jenny) Hawley of Columbia, MO, and Mary Beth Hawley of Ballwin, MO; four great-grandchildren: Benjamin “Junior” and Nadalynn Bartlett of Kirksville, MO, Emily Oberman of Queen City, MO, and Annabelle Nova Hawley of Columbia, MO; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

William is preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, sister, Helen (Applegate) Middleton, and great-granddaughter, Kimberlynn Bartlett.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21 ^st at the Dooley Funeral Home with Pastor Sonny Smyser officiating. Burial will follow at the Queen City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chris Hawley, Tony Oberman, Benjamin Bartlett, John Applegate, Jim Applegate, and Paul Applegate.

Arrangements in the care of Dooley Funeral Home; www.dooleyfh.com.