William Reeves “Bill” Johnson, 92, of Huntsville, passed away on August 15, 2023. He was born in Enterprise, Alabama on November 15, 1930 to Virginia Reeves and Joseph Helm Johnson. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Boyd Johnson, his brother, Joseph Helm Johnson, Jr. and nephew, David Johnson.
After growing up in Andalusia, Alabama, Bill attended Vanderbilt University for two years before transferring to Auburn University. Prior to graduating, he was drafted by the US Army in 1953 and joined the 66th Counter Intelligence Corps, where he conducted counter intelligence operations in southern Germany. When his Army service ended, he returned to Alabama, married Catherine Boyd and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Auburn in 1957. After graduation, they settled in Falls Church, Virginia before moving to Huntsville in 1961. He worked with two different engineering firms before enjoying a 22-year career at Hewlett-Packard in medical device sales. After the passing of his beloved wife Catherine in 1987, he met and married Sydna Wells whom he cherished in their 34 years together.
Bill was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years having served as an Elder, Deacon, and member of the choir. He taught the Willing Workers Sunday school class for over 25 years. Additionally, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club. His childhood love for baseball carried over into his Huntsville adult life where he coached YMCA little league with considerable success for many years. Additionally, never one to stop learning, Bill was a member of the Mensa Society and also a Master Gardener. Other passions included reading, LGB model trains, amateur radio, ice cream, and Auburn football. Bill enjoyed, perhaps most of all, hosting his family at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley, North Carolina every summer for over 20 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sydna Johnson and four children, Dr. William Reeves Johnson, Jr. (Lorraine), Daniel Boyd Johnson (Stacey), Catherine Johnson McLain (Tom), and Thomas Baxter Johnson (Beth); Sydna’s children, Ashley Wells, Anna Wells Watts (Brant), and Carter Wells (Juliet); nieces, Virginia Johnson and Priscilla Johnson, 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services for Bill will be Monday, August 28, 2023. Burial will be at 11:00 am in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm followed by the service at 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church with The Reverend Doctor Tara Bulger officiating.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, or The Presbyterian Home for Children, PO Drawer 577, Talladega, AL 35161.
