William Johnson

William Thomas “Bill” Johnson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, loving father, grandfather and husband, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2022 at the age of 76.  Bill was born February 13, 1946, in New Orleans to William and Dorothy Johnson.  Bill is survived by his wife of 42 years, Brenda Altazin Johnson; beloved daughters, Jennifer Johnson Kocian (Jonathan), Jill Johnson, Lindsey Johnson Kearny (Philip), and Kathleen Johnson; grandchildren, who knew him as “Wee”, Dylan Kocian, Graham Kearny and Evangeline Kearny, and sister, Peggy Johnson Gray.  He is preceded in death by his parents, with whom he spent much precious time and adored.  Bill graduated from Broadmoor High School in 1965, where he starred on the basketball team, and began setting the stage for what would become his life passion for music and playing bass guitar.  Known by his bandmates as "Willy T", Bill played music in high school and went on to found the band The Inn Crowd.  After several popular recorded singles, Bill then joined the band John Fred and the Playboys in the late 60's, best known for their global hit title "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)".  Both bands and their members would go on to be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010.  Throughout his life, he continued playing with bands in venues around Louisiana, including performances at his daughters' weddings, and most recently, had revived The Inn Crowd, and was playing music locally.  He was gentle, warm, and charming, with a quick wit and sense of humor that drew others to him.  His daughters enjoyed his incredible storytelling, stories they will pass on for generations to come, especially that of his encounter with the infamous "Alligator Man".  Along with his accomplishments in the music industry, Bill was also proud of his lengthy career in telecommunication sales, working for Motorola and Bell South Mobility for over 30 years, developing markets in the earliest days of the cell phone industry until retirement.  In his spare time, he enjoyed watching old Westerns, growing vegetables, making the best gumbo in town, golfing with his dad, and going out to eat with family.  Bill’s most treasured moments were spent vacationing with family at Asphodel, False River and the beaches of Pensacola and Destin, as well as spending time with friends and family watching LSU and the Saints and singing and playing the piano at home.  We take solace in knowing we will be reunited in Heaven, as he had accepted Jesus Christ into his heart, and is now with our Lord and Savior.  We love you.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 21, 2022, from 8:30 to 10am, with a memorial service to follow, at Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70815, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 7777 Hennessy Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808.