William Johnson

William "Orin" Johnson, 85, of Iola, Kansas, died Saturday, August 7, 2010, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. Orin was born August 29, 1924 in Iola, Kansas, to Coleman and Celia (Hankins) Johnson. He attended McKinley grade school and graduated from Iola High School with the class of 1942. He enlisted in the United States Navy June 25, 1943. After basic training he was stationed on the troop ship General S.D. Sturgis. He served as Electrician's Mate Third Class. His ship was one of the ships that took personnel to the signing of the peace treaty with Japan in 1945. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy April 25, 1946. After his discharge he worked with his father, Coleman Johnson, at Johnson's Service Station, 423 N. Washington, Iola. They closed the station in 1968 due to his Dad's failing health. Orin went to work for the Iola Fire Department in October 1968 where he became an EMT. He retired in the fall of 1986 as the Captain of his shift. He was a member of the American Legion Post #15 of Iola and attended First Baptist Church in Iola. Orin enjoyed fishing, playing violin, wood carving and refinishing old furniture. On June 22, 1951, Orin married Lavon Kinman of Gas. They were married in Iola. To this union three children were born who survive: Charles A. Johnson and his wife Roberta, Gas; Patricia J. and her husband Bill Scrivner, Ozark, MO; and Ronald L. Johnson and his wife Terri, Gypsum. Five grandchildren, Jeffery W. Trester, Nowata, OK; Angela M. and her husband David Frizell, Springfield, MO; Michael A. Johnson and his wife Tiffany, Moreno Valley, CA; Linette M. and her husband Paul Burton, Baldwin City, and Kristina R. and her husband Jonathan Palmer, Warsaw, MO; three step grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren, one nephew, Warren Johnson and his wife Pam of Laconia, NH and two nieces, Nancy and her husband Brian O'Dell of Olathe, KS and Charmanne and her husband Tom Sayles of Gas, KS. He was preceded in death by his brother Richard Earl Johnson and his parents. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Iola. Dr. Michael Quinn will officiate. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery in Iola, Kansas, with military honors. MEMORIAL CHOICES: First Baptist Church or Allen County Hospice Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .