William P. Johnston

William “BJ” P. Johnston Jr., 71, of La Crosse, Wis., died in his home, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born in La Crosse, WI, on Sept. 22, 1942, to William P. Sr. and Grace (Lambert) Johnston. He married Elaine Wolf on Aug. 26, 1995, in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, La Crosse, WI.

“BJ” attended Central High School in La Crosse, served in US Military in the Armed Forces becoming a Golden member of the local Eagles Club, Erie 1254.  He had spent many hours on the road as a truck driver for Indian Head, ACE Hardware and Starforce National.  “BJ” was an avid Packer fan and a wonderful, kind husband, father figure, brother and grandfather, enjoying a recent evening with his grandchildren, Nick (Katie), Melissa (Steve), Janell (Deke), Jesse, Alexis, Madison, Olivia, and Tina (in spirit) cheering on the green and gold.

He is survived by his wife; Elaine of La Crosse, WI., four step sons; Steve (Sue) Wolf of AZ., Larry Wolf of La Crosse, WI., Frank (Kristi) Wolf of La Crosse, WI., and Mike (Shelia) Wolf of La Crosse, WI., eight grandchildren; Nick (Katie) Wolf of AZ, Tina Wolf of AZ., Melissa (Steve) Schulze, Janell (Deke) Mader, Jesse, Alexis, Madison, and Olivia Wolf of La Crosse, WI, two great-grandchildren; Adalyn and Hudson Schulze. He is also survived by two sisters; Kathryn (Dennis) Bjornstad of Coon Valley, WI, Mary Jo Johnston of La Crosse, WI, and three brothers; James (Joan) Johnston of La Crosse, WI, Ron (Judy) Johnston of La Crosse, WI., Gary (Gloria Freitag) Johnston of La Crosse, WI. and many neices and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his faithful four legged companion, Lady.

A funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 So. 13th St., La Crosse, WI. Msgr. Bernard Mc Garty will officiate with burial to be held with Military Rites by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, La Crosse, WI., in St. Joseph’s Ridge Cemetery, St. Joseph’s Ridge, WI. Family and friends may call from 1:00 PM until the time of Mass in the church on
Friday.

The family would like to thank the many friends and family for their support as well as Dr. Oettel, Dr. Conway and Dr. Hartman, Nurse Betty and RD Jill, as well as the wonderful and compassionate hospice staff.