Dr. Willard L. Johnson, 94, retired optometrist who practiced in Hillsboro for 47 years, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, 506 S. Main St. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Matt Ferguson officiating.
Private family interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date. Bass Patton Dean funeral home in Hillsboro is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Johnson was born on Oct. 9, 1920, in Iola, the son of the late Jennie (Keen) and Harold Johnson. He married Lora Lee "Lolly" Strong on Oct. 5, 1952, and she preceded him in death on June 26, 1990.
He graduated from Iola High School in 1938, followed by two years at Eastern Illinois University where he earned a teaching certificate. He then taught public school in the Farina area until enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1942.
Following completion of basic training, Dr. Johnson was selected for Officer Candidate School and commissioned a second lieutenant upon completion. Following Field Artillery School, he was assigned to the 5th Division Field Artillery. He served in the World War II Pacific Theater, including the U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945 where he was promoted to first lieutenant.
After his discharge from the Marines in July 1946, he attended and graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Lora Lee “Lolly” Strong of Peoria, in 1948.
In 1949 Dr. Johnson bought the practice of Hillsboro optometrist Dr. W. T. Thorpe. Then in 1979 he relocated his practice from 434 S. Main St. to the building he had built at 200 E. Mechanic St. (currently Prairie Eye Center). In 1991, he became associated with ophthalmologists Dr. Sandra Yeh and Dr. Michael Walsh of Springfield. He retired on Sept. 1, 1996, following the sale of his practice to Dr. Yeh.
He was a member of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church and Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge No. 51. He was also a lifetime member of the American Optometric Association and a past member of the Hillsboro Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, visiting with his family and he was often recognized walking to and from town by friends and former patients.
Dr. Johnson is survived by a sister, Isabelle Yanik of Greensburg, KY; daughter, Janet (Ken) Best of Eureka, MO; son, Jon (wife Dee Ann) Johnson of Florissant, MO; granddaughter, JoBeth (husband Josh) Hodges of Lorton, VA; grandson, Jordan Johnson of Amarillo, TX; two great-grandsons; and longtime companion, Lou Crews of Hillsboro.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe Johnson, Harold Johnson, Jr., Doyle Johnson and Larry Johnson; and sisters, Marilyn Drake and Audrey Kampschrader.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association; Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 51; the Hillsboro Lions Club sight/vision program; or to a church, charity or cause of the donor’s choice.
