William Johnston

William Johnston was born on Jan. 7, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y., one of  William Johnston, Sr., and Katherine (Herrel) Johnston's seven children.

William was drafted on March 31, 1942, into the Army and served with the 548th Field Artillery Battalion. He saw action in the European Theater before being discharged on Oct. 29, 1945.

He returned to Clinton to rejoin his wife, Gwendolyn Lessor, whom he had wed on Jan. 15, 1943. They had two daughters; Kathryn and Dorothy.

He was employed at the Oscar Monk farm for 10 years and then at Ski-Land Woolen Mill in Clinton for 27 years before retiring in 1982.

He was a longtime member of the Brown Memorial United Methodist Church of Clinton, and also a member of the American Legion, Post 186, of Clinton.

William was an avid golfer, loved to sing, liked puttering outdoors, enjoyed games and card-playing, caring for neighbors and had great community spirit.