Michael Garrison

MISSOULA - William Scott Johnson died at The Paxson Home on Wednesday, December. 3, 2008.





Bill was born in Missoula on January. 18, 1945, to Valarah Ellen and Roy O. Johnson. A disability resulted from a lack of oxygen at birth. It hindered his ability to communicate but it was apparent to anyone who knew him that he had a very active, perceptive mind, a remarkable memory and a talent for art; he loved to draw, paint and assemble things.





One of his happiest years was when he and his mother lived at the “teacherage” in the woods near Ovando where he met and became friends with the Copenhavers and talked about them for the rest of his life.





He often traveled with his mother to Disneyland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and Canada. He loved going to Glacier Park, stopping at the Lake MacDonald Cafe to have the “best club sandwich in the world.” He also enjoyed his trips around the state with Special Olympics, having recently returned from Butte with a medal in basketball, adding it to his collection.





He was one of the original workers at Opportunity Workshop; he retired this past summer and enjoyed the many parties held in his honor. He continued bowling and could be found every Tuesday at West Side Lanes.





He and his mother were avid Lady Griz fans and in later years he was a fixture at all Grizzly events. His room became a Griz shrine including soccer, football, boy’s basketball, Shannon, the Lady Griz and Monte.





Bill was a train and fire truck fanatic. A week would not go by without a trip to the Treasure Chest to check out “train stuff.” One of his heroes was Captain Rick Smith of the Missoula Fire Department. He also shared the family obsession for books.





In December 2000, he went to live with the guys at Central Street Home where he was lovingly cared for by Kerry and Rob and most recently the gang at the Paxson Street Home.





He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Merle Manis in 2008; mother in 2004; father in 1997; and brother, Larry in 1991.





He is survived by his sister, Roberta Manis, and brother, Ron (Margaret) of Missoula; nieces, Holly Crownhart of Seattle, Cathy Manis of Missoula, Susan (Peter) Goeddel of Bozeman, Michele (Conrad) Nokleby of Missoula and Eric (Sandy) Johnson of Helena. His great-nieces and nephews include Holly’s sons Brian and Daniel Crownhart; Cathy’s children Zach Schubert and Cony Craighead; Susan’s children Lauren and Jason Gully and Sean and Nicole Goeddel; Eric’s daughter Ariel Johnson; and Michele’s children Mark Hermann and Lara Nokleby.





There will be no funeral service. A gathering of friends and family for a concert by January Halmes, pianist, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, December. 14, at the Christian Science Church, 509 S.W. Higgins Ave.





In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Billy’s name to The Paxson Street Home, 3831 Paxson St., Missoula, MT 59803.





Everyone will always remember his ever-present smile.
Read Michael Garrison's Obituary and Guestbook.