In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 21, 2025, Willard Allen “Bill” Johnson heard the Lord’s call and entered Heaven’s gate.
Dad was born to Archie and Marjorie (Olson) Johnson on December 16, 1943 in Pendelton, Oregon. He was the eldest of their children. The family made its way back to Montana after World War II and settled on the Johnson Homestead, 20 miles north of Circle, where they lived a typical farm life along his paternal grandparents and his siblings that soon followed.
Dad’s mom and grandmother both passed away when he was 12 years old and he chose to live with his grandpa Lage Johnson. He was very close with him and spent the rest of his growing up years with him. Lage died when dad was 17 and after that Dad found work in the oilfields of California and Colorado.
It was in 1966 when he decided to come back to Circle for a visit, that he found his “Ol Kraut” waiting table in the Midway Cafe. He was persistent and finally persuaded Mom, Marian Haber to marry him and that’s what they did on July 16th, 1967. They were married just a week shy of 57 years, when Mom passed away on July 9, 2024.
The first year of their marriage was spent in Circle and then in 1968 their son Garry was born and they moved to Sidney, where Dad found work at the Dodge Dealer. In 1969 they moved to the former Glasgow Air Force Base, where Dad worked for a fiberglass company. Then in 1971, they loaded up and moved back to Circle where Dad went to the work for the City of Circle in the Public Works Dept, patching streets and hauling garbage. They added two daughters to the family soon after, with Kristie in 1972 and Becky in 1973.
Dad was always a hard worker. Along with working at the City, he also took a job milking dairy cows for Richard Gackle. Dad decided a few years after Gackles quit milking that we needed to have a dairy of our own. So in the early 80’s that’s what we did, we milked 65 head of Holstein cows until the cheese plant in Beach, ND closed and then we sold the cows and moved to Grandpa Haber’s farm. Dad tried his hand at a couple of different jobs until he landed a job in maintenance at Circle Public Schools. He worked at the school for over 37 years before he finally retired.
Dad loved his motorcycles and him and Mom rode thousands of miles on 3 different Honda Goldwings. They loved touring the US and Canada on their bike and made many friends along the way before they finally decided to hang up the keys.
Dad was always pretty proud of his kids, but that was elevated when he became a grandpa to Brennan, Tyler and Kyleigh and then was even more proud when his great-grandchildren, Isaac & Hallie came along. He enjoyed having them come visit and often talked about them.
Bill is survived by his son Garry of Circle, daughter Kristie (Dean) Gabbert of Dickinson, ND and daughter Becky (Curtis) Fuhs of Glendive. He’s also survived by grandchildren Brennan (Levi) Bowman and their children Isaac & Hallie of Wolf Point, Tyler Fuhs of Glendive and Kyleigh Fuhs of Idaho.
He was proceeded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marian, his parents Archie & Marjorie Johnson, his in-laws Theo & Anna Haber, his brother Wilbur and his sister Winnie Pugh.
Dad, we’re going to miss you, but know that you are where you have wanted to be since Mom was called home. We know you were smiling the minute you met your “Ol Kraut” at the pearly gate!
Family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire memorials can be made to the Redwater Valley Ambulance Service.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday September 26, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday September 27, 2025
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday September 26, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday September 27, 2025
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
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Jackie Boysun says
Many Friday nights your Mom and Dad always came in for Prime Rib w/Shorty and Judy. Many memories giving them a hard time all in fun. My sincere condolences to you all. Garry, Kristi, and Becky and families.
Debbie Weyer says
Becky and the rest of your family. So sorry to hear the loss of your dad, granddad. May God wrap his loving arms around each of you.
Jerry Pugh says
Garry, Kristie, and Becky,
I am so sorry to hear about this. Mom loved Bill dearly, and commented a number of times that she thought he and I were similar in a lot of ways. He was a good man, and I always thought very highly of him. Although we didn’t get to see each other as much as I would have liked, I want you to know that I have fond memories of the times we were able to get together. I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.