William Clifford (Bill) Johnson, 95, of Manistee, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2015 at Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Bill was born on July 11, 1920, to Frank Johnson and Grace (Cooper) Johnson of Manistee.

He graduated from Manistee High School in 1938, and married his high-school sweetheart, Barbara Whalen, at Guardian Angels Church in Manistee on April 4, 1942.

Bill served in WW II as a navigator on a B-24 in the US Army Air Corps, 459th Bomber Group and was stationed in Italy.

When he was young he worked in his stepfather Harvey Johnson's grocery store on Fifth Avenue and at the Beach Stand at Fifth Avenue Beach, as well as other jobs. Bill owned "Tilt-A-Door and Tile Sales" in Manistee, and later became known as "Bill Johnson the Tile Man". He worked for many years laying tile in Manistee. In 1967, he became a salesman for Great Lakes Sales, Inc. in Grand Rapids and moved to Kalamazoo for several years. Upon returning to Manistee, Barb and Bill owned and operated the E.E. Douville House Bed and Breakfast on Pine Street.

Bill was an Elk and a member of the Manistee Golf And Country Club. He enjoyed golf, bowling, camping, traveling and watching the sun set over Lake Michigan. He was known for his quick wit and great sense if humor.

Bill is survived by his daughter Ann (Larry) Powell of South Carolina; his daughter-in-law Mary Johnson of North Carolina; grandchildren Tamara Hyatt of South Carolina, Kimberly (Christopher) Newton of Florida, Mathew (Jamie) Johnson of Manistee, Trever (Michelle) Johnson of California, Charles Johnson of California, and Jessica Johnson of North Carolina; great-grandchildren Tavin Newton, Neven Johnson, Hailey Johnson, and Ryder Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Barbara, and his son Jerry "Leg" Johnson.

A celebration of life gathering will be held in the summer of 2016 with a time and place to be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to Manistee North Pier Head Lighthouse Restoration, c/o Manistee County Historical Museum, 425 River Street, Manistee, MI 49660.

The family has entrusted arrangements to Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee. Please visit Bill’s Personal Page of Memories at www.oakgrovefh.com.

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