Johnston, William (Bill) E. July 10, 1943 - March 6, 2015

William (Bill) Eugene Johnston, 71 years of age was born July 10, 1943 in Joplin, MO to Charles D. and Edna Roberta Bray Johnston along with twin brother Robert Joseph Johnston. During his formative years the family lived in several locations in Missouri and for a time in Michigan. When they moved back to Missouri they settled in Springfield, where he attended Pipkin grade school and high school at Parkview through the 10th grade. Bill proudly served the in the US Army from Aug. 1960 – Aug 1963. Bill went home to his Lord March 6, 2015 after severe problems with COPD. Bill married Paulette Gardner and they had one daughter Suzanne Y. Johnston Ridgway. After their divorce, Bill married Deanne Fields on April 16, 1967, who survives of the home. Bill and Deanna were married 47 years and 11 months. Bill was baptized at the First Christian Church (Disciples) El Dorado Springs on April 16, 1986, attending faithfully for several years until his health started declining. During his years of working he was employed as a tile setter, shoe salesman, typewriter repairman, and for the last twenty plus years he worked construction in all phases but primarily as a commercial and residential sheet rock and painter. They called him Rembrandt. Bill was a charter member of Fraternal Order Tri-Lakes Eagles Aerie #4279, Bears Club #2327 and Veterans organizations. Bill was prone to bring people home that he thought needed a hand-up and a good meal, and they would stay awhile. Some stayed for several years. He loved to shoot guns, ride motorcycles, and watch the news, westerns, read biographies and attend his favorite watering holes. Bill had a huge heart and if he loved you, you knew it. Besides Suzi, he considered Vipaporn (Vipa) Boonyakiti, Praphan (Pun) Boonyakiti, Jill D. Baderdeen, Traci (Squidge) S. Newman, and Linda Person his kids. There were others that are too numerous to name – they know because he told them so. Bill’s parents preceded him, Charles in July 1982, Edna in March 1997; and his older brother John Richard in 1981, Traci in 2002, and Alex Boonyakiti in 2010. He is survived by his twin brother Robert (Bob) and wife Delois of Gladstone, MO and their daughters Denise and Doug Wallace of Cameron, MO and Kimberly and Rob Walker of Kansas City, MO and families; daughter Suzi and husband Randy Ridgway of El Dorado Springs, MO, Vipa Boonyakiti of Nevada, MO, Pun Boonyakiti and wife Kim of Charleston, SC, Jill and husband Sam Baderdeen of El Dorado Springs, MO; Grandchildren: Sharin Williamson Ray (Thomas), Stephanie Williamson Allison, Stacie Ann Williamson Ashlock, Randy Ridgway (Kendra), Tara Ridgway Chism (Dave), Jessica Jones, Sean Jackson, Michael, Jasmine and Aysha Boonyakiti, Evan Baderdeen, and Jenna B (Gary) Koski; 23 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Marjorie Fields of El Dorado Springs, MO; two sisters-in-law, Sheila (Ross) Simon of Ft. Worth, TX and Melanie (Dan) Fugate of El Dorado Springs, MO; and brother-in-law, Kenny (Patti) Fields of El Dorado Springs, MO. A host of friends who were very dear to him.