William H. “Bill” Johns

William H. “Bill” Johns, 94, Hannibal, Mo., passed away at 9:54 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at his home.

Bill was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Monroe City, Mo., to Lester W. Johns and Bessie Kaden Johns. He was married to Patricia Hollyman on Feb. 18, 1951 at the First Baptist Church in Palmyra. She preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 2010.

Survivors include four children, Paul “PJ” Johns (Melissa), Hannibal; Jeff Johns (Marcella), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Clifton “Tad” Johns, Palmyra;, and Cynthia “Cyndi” Johns, Hannibal; two grandchildren, Lance White (Joni) and Kane Tharp (Janessa); three great-grandchildren, Hannah Belle White, Sawyer White and Bodhi White; two sisters, Alice Buckman, St. Joseph, Mo.; and Carolyn “Sue” Zeiger (Gene), Fort Madison, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Johns; his parents; one son, Keith Johns; one brother, Norman Johns; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mary Slavin; brother-in-law, Paul Buckman; and sister-in-law, Jill Johns.

Bill worked as a farmer his entire life. Later, he was a consigner for the Farmer and Traders Livestock Market starting in 1960 and working there 59 years before retiring in 2019.

A true sports fanatic, Bill loved nothing more than to attend all of the Palmyra High School sporting events. You could always find him sitting in his favorite spot and keeping score. Bill also enjoyed keeping up with the O’Donnell’s fast pitch softball team, for which his son, Paul “PJ”, played for years. 

Bill made his rounds to many local county fairs where he was announcer for the tractor pulls in Palmyra and Monroe City. 

Grilled steaks with all the fixings, oyster soup and a delicious piece of cheesecake were a few of Bill’s favorite things. 

Above all else, Bill was a family man and enjoyed the time he could spend with his loved ones. Bill will be remembered as a charismatic, loving, outspoken and loyal person who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Boots-Dickson Post #174. Pastor Marty Smyser will officiate. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be Tim Browning, Jim Browning, John Browning, Alan Browning, Michael Foster and Craig Elsner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Cindy Browning Claus, Mary Browning Majers and Jim Ross.

Friends and family are invited to Bill’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be from 9:30  a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Palmyra Athletic Booster Club or to Palmyra Flower City Park.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.