Billy Johnson, 82, of Griswold, IA, died Tuesday morning, March 17, 2009, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center in Atlantic, IA, where he had been a resident for the last 11 days.
Billy Hugh Johnson was born on January 23, 1927 at Centerville, IA, the son of Albert and Wilma (Rhodes) Johnson. He attended schools in Centerville and Des Moines after the family moved to Des Moines in 1937. Billy was one of the first ones to receive a GED in 1961 in Council Bluffs, IA. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII and received a medical discharge. On October 9, 1948 he married Betty Mae La Follette in Centerville.
Iowa Power and Light employed Billy in 1949 in Des Moines and in 1952 he was transferred to the new power station in Council Bluffs. He retired in 1971 under disability caused by working with carbon tetrachloride, which resulted in liver damage.
Billy, Betty and their 2 children moved to Griswold in 1972 where they raised Arabian horses. One of Billy's horses was a full brother to Wayne Newton's famous horse, Perelane, and as a result, Wayne invited Billy to his sales and parties in Las Vegas.
Billy was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold and served on the Parish Council. He was also a charter member of The Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #499 and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
His parents, his brother Bobby in 1941, his daughter Joy Lou in 1978, and his granddaughter Crystal preceded Billy in death.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty of Griswold, his son Mark of Omaha, his grandson and great-grandchildren: Markus and his friend Jen and their children Braden and Caydence of Red Oak, IA. Also surviving are his sister Betty Lou Gilmore of Des Moines, his uncle Edgar Johnson of Centerville as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis. Friday evening, a prayer service will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold at 6:30 followed by visitation with the family until 7:30. Memorials are suggested to the church for a handicapped entrance. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting Billy's family with their arrangements.