William E. “Billy” Johnson, age 82, a resident of Tewksbury for over 55 years, formerly of Woburn, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill with his family at his side.
He was the beloved husband of 46 years to Elizabeth L. “Betty Lou” (O’Neill) Johnson, who passed away on January 14, 2013.
Born in Woburn on July 24, 1942, he was the son of the late Einar Johnson and the late Emily (Frizzell) Johnson.
Billy grew up in Woburn and attended Woburn schools.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a grocery manager for the Purity Supreme Supermarkets at their Woburn and Tewksbury stores.
He spent summer vacations at Lake Winnipesaukee with family and enjoyed day trips to the White Mountains region. For longer road trips you could find him pulling out the road map to find attractions to visit.
Billy loved spending time with his grandkids who lovingly referred to him as “Grumpy”. You would often find him in the audience or sidelines cheering them on in their activities.
In addition, he enjoyed puttering around his house or yard, caring for his dogs, and attending NASCAR races in Loudon, NH.
Billy is survived by his two children, Kerry L. Talbot and her husband Kenneth, and Shaun M. Johnson and his wife Adrianne (Diamond), all of Tewksbury: three grandchildren, Jack Johnson, Paige Talbot and Eric Talbot. He was the brother of John Johnson and his late wife Ginger, of Sanford, FL, Emily Fuccione and her late husband Thomas, of Tewksbury and North Reading, Diane Downey and her late husband Dan, of Woburn, and his late brother Fred Johnson and his late wife Joan of Malden. Billy was the beloved Brother-in-law to John and Terry O’Neill, Patty Stotik and her late husband Joe, Sharon Zaremba and her late husband Steve, Dick O’Neill and his late wife Carol and Barbara Stack and her late husband Gary. Billy leaves many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Calling hours are Monday, May 19, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home. Services will conclude with interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center, P.O. Box 754, Tewksbury, MA 01876 or online at www.strongwaterfarm.org