William (Bill) Gunn Johnson

William (Bill) Gunn Johnson, age 96, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2023. He was born in Gonzales, Texas, on April 26, 1926, to Mayme Gunn and William Thomas Johnson. He married Bobbie Jean Anderson on December 18, 1953, in Dayton, TX. Together they raised a family of 3 children, 2 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Bill was president of the Gonzales High School Class of 1943. He immediately enrolled at Texas A&M University but was shortly thereafter called to duty for his country. He served in Occupied Japan for 2 years. Being a Texan and a horseman, he was assigned the duty of caring for the stables and horses of captured Japanese Emperor Hirohito. He then returned to the states and finished his degree at Texas A&M in 1949. Bill retired from the United States Army Reserves in 1972. 

After college, Bill went to work as an Agricultural Extension Agent Victoria, TX. His future wife was a Home Extension Agent where they met at a training conference. After marrying, Bill transferred to La Grange, TX, but in 1958 they moved to Gonzales for Bill to work with his dad and brother, Fletcher, on the family ranch. In the late 1960s, Bill and Fletcher opened Johnson’s True Value Hardware located at 618 St. Joseph in Gonzales. In 1985, at the age of 60, Bill and Bobbie relocate in Corsicana, Tx, to own and operate an Exxon Fuel Distributorship and Tiger Tote Convenience Stores. “Mr. Bill,” as he was known, retired in 2007 but had continued as a trusted advisor over those many years since stepping down. 

Bill was a Rotary Club member for over 44 years in both Gonzales and Corsicana from 1969-2013 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a faithful Aggie Football supporter for many decades and enjoyed attending many Aggie home football games. Bill and Bobbie were active members for many years of the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales and then Corsicana. Bill was always a music and dance lover. Later in life Bill and Bobbie became dedicated Ray Price fans following him around the state.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Jean Peterek Burns, and her husband, Norman L. Burns, of Gonzales, Lea Ann Johnson, of Austin, TX, and Thomas William (Tom) Johnson, and wife, Sissy, of Corsicana, TX, grandson, Greyson Peterek of Bastrop, TX, granddaughter, Lana Peterek DuBose, and husband, Sean, of Austin, Texas, and great-grandsons, William Gunn DuBose, Gregory Cole DuBose, and Jack Avry DuBose. He is also survived by sisters, Dorothy Springs and Ruby Lindeman of New Braunfels, TX, and 10 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie on November 20, 2015, a baby boy, his parents, his brother, Fletcher Johnson and his wife, Jane, brothers-in-law, Albert Springs, and A.M. “Buddy” Lindeman Jr., and a sister-in-law Jacqueline Payne.

A service is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 11 am at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana, Texas. Funeral services in Gonzales will be held at 10 am Friday, February 10, 2023 in the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Matt Pennington officiating. Interment will follow in the IOOF at the in Gonzales Texas. Pallbearers are Mickey Hillock, Gary Payne, Robert Springs, David Lindeman, Tres Peterson, Bradley Baker. Honorary pallbearers include Tony Mayfield, GW Hammon, Barney Payne, Michael Springs, Michael Burke, Randy Gipson, and Brent Christian. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Gonzales. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Local services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.