John William Johnston, Sr's Obituary
Services for John William Johnston, Sr., will be 10 AM Saturday, January 3, 2008 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview with Reverend Scott Schulik and Dr. Greg Zackary officiating. Entombment will follow in the Lakeview Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Friday evening at the funeral home.
John William Johnston, Sr., was born July 3, 1920, in Fort Smith, Arkansas and entered into Glory December 30, 2008, in Grapevine, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Norma, 4 children, John William "Bill" Johnston, Jr. of Grapevine, Texas, Nancy Faggons of Killeen, Texas, Norm Johnston of Ozark, Missouri, and Judy Garrison of Irving, Texas, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Johnston attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he met and married Norma Lea Webb on September 2, 1943. After graduation from Ouachita in 1944, the Johnstons moved to Fort Worth where Mr. Johnston attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and served at Ross Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas and First Baptist Church in Euless.
Following his graduation from seminary, John honorably served his country as an Army Chaplain from 1948 to 1952. He was stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and his tours of duty included France, Germany and Japan.
From 1952 to 1964, John served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Booneville, Arkansas; Connor Avenue Baptist Church, Joplin, Missouri, and First Baptist Church, Waynesville, Missouri.
From 1964 to 1972, John taught at Fort Leonard Wood Junior High School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. In 1972, the Johnstons moved to Longview and John taught at LeTourneau College and Tyler Junior College until his retirement in the mid-1980s.
The Johnstons were both actively involved in many ministries at Mobberly Baptist Church until 2006 when they moved to Grapevine due to declining health.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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