Obituaries

Wilbur D. Johnson

Photo of Wilbur D. Johnson Photo of Wilbur D. Johnson
Wilbur D. Johnson, 90, of Sherwood, a U.S. Army/Air Force veteran of WWII, passed away April 29, 2013. He was born in Cabot to Dena Moore and Emmett Johnson. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ondus and Elmer Johnson, and sister, Auvergene Rideout, he is survived by his wife, Frances Huddleston Johnson of Sherwood; daughter, Sue Chartrand (Al) of Scott; and two grandchildren, Jason Chartrand of Oklahoma City and DeAnne Slaughter (Larry) of Columbia, Missouri; and a host of other family and friends. His two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Andrea Ickler, will miss their Papaw as will their father, his friend, Don Ickler. Wilbur D. had countless friends over the years, young and old, and was involved in many organizations. He was a member of Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church and the VFW. He belonged to the Crescent Masonic Lodge, was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Bendemeer Grotto and the Bedouin Unit of the Scimitar Shrine Temple, where he was a Major of Units for ten years. He was also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court 12. He received the Pillars of Solomon award for outstanding service. At the age of 19, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and served in the 250th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe under such infamous Generals as George Patton and Omar Bradley. They fought in the Battle of the Bulge and were involved in the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau. Wilbur was a great storyteller, especially of his experiences during the war. He was instrumental in the gathering and recording of his accounts of the war and those of 46 other WWII veterans from Arkansas, leading to the collection, "In Their Words", which was aired by AETN (Arkansas Education Television Network). This led to a trip to Washington, D.C. and to the WWII Memorial, sponsored by AETN, where these veterans were honored for their service. Upon discharge from the Army, Wilbur joined the Air Force, from which he would retire after 21 years. He and his family lived in several states and countries during his military career, eventually settling in North Little Rock, where he began a second career in the insurance industry. He retired from Rockwood Insurance Company as a General Manager. Always eager to work, Wilbur volunteered with numerous organizations. He was an instructor for AARP Driver's Education, active in the Scottish Rite raising money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and he and Frances both worked hard in events sponsored by the Scimitar Shrine, to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. In 2005, Wilbur was awarded a "Citizen of the Year" plaque by the Arkansas Secretary of State, Charlie Daniels. He slowed very little in his later years and was eager to join his great-grandchildren in their fun. Whether it was climbing to the top bunk or taking a nasty spill on the driveway, their 80-plus year old Papaw was not going to spend the afternoon on the couch. "Wilbur D.", "Father" or "Papaw", will be loved always and remembered for his smiles and jokes. We will not forget his generosity and his eagerness to help most anyone at any time. A child of the Great Depression, a liberator of Europe, a hard-working civilian, Wilbur D. Johnson earned a comfortable retirement after decades of labor. He continued to serve via years of volunteerism, all the while trying to coax a laugh from everyone he met. His pride in his family, his community and his country were always evident. A life well lived, we who knew him can smile with such memories. Wilbur's family wishes to thank Arkansas Hospice, Nurse Taylor, and special caregivers, Wendy, Latoya, Lavira, Phyllis and Barbara for their loving and compassionate care. Visitation will be Friday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Steve Tiner, followed by interment with Military Honors at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fla. 33607. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Johnson's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Published May 2, 2013

Upcoming Events