Willis Clair Johnson

Local Metal Sculptor Retires for 2nd Time

Willis C. Johnson retired from life on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at his home at 6:49 a.m. with his wife, son and granddaughter by his side. After living 91 years and three months he has left this earth. He was born in the Flathead Valley in Montana, one of eight children, and we thank heaven that he was saved to be the last, as Dad was pre-deceased by his parents and all of his brothers and sisters.

Dad joined the Marine Corps during WWII, earning his parachute wings, and later fought at Iwo Jima where he was wounded on February 22, 1945, after several days in the battle earning a Purple Heart.

After recovering, Dad met and married Marion R. Dunham and moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where he worked in the timberland as a log trucker. Their only son was also born in Montana.

Dad retired from log trucking relatively late in life (over 22 years ago) and began creating metal sculptures. He was recognized nationally by the Veterans Administration for his artwork. Mom was the inspiration for many of the sculpture designs, asking him first to build metal herons. His sculptures reside in homes across the country, from Oregon to Georgia. His only complaint was that he wished he had retired earlier to have made a greater impact with his metal work.

Dad lived a long life and has now 'fully retired' after battling Leukemia.

He leaves behind his wife; son, Willis L. and his wife Devin, and her sons, Matthew and Michael Lytle of Georgia; grandson, Matthew T. Johnson residing in Arizona; and granddaughter, Kelly Jo Johnson Clancy and her husband Patrick, and their sons Ryan and Kenny, also residing in Arizona.

We will all miss him dearly as he was a wonderful, kind, gentle and devoted person.

In lieu of flowers or charitable contributions, we think he'd wish everyone to seek out creative passions in their lives that they've kept on the back burner and bring them to the surface and just have fun doing it.

In loving memory,

His Son