Obit of Johnson, Bill Norman  - McCurtain County, Oklahoma

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Copyright, http://www.bakersfield.com/                        30 Aug 2008
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::?--Milburn OK

Bill Norman Johnson

11/2/1936  2/12/2003

Bill Norman Johnson was born November 2, 1936, in Ringold, Oklahoma. 
He died February 12, 2003 in Durant, Oklahoma after battling diabetes 
and cardiac disease.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Johnson, his 
parents, William and Viola Johnson, as well as sisters, Angela 
Whisler and Verdi Merchant.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Joyce, of Milburn, Oklahoma, 
with whom he shared many good times in Bakersfield, California and in 
Oklahoma. He is also survived by six children, son, Mike Tasos and 
wife, Vicki of Cumming, Georgia; daughter Kim Hollar and husband, Ron 
of Bakersfield; son, Matt Tasos of Bakersfield; son, Allan Johnson 
and wife, Jennifer of Bakersfield; daughter, Tracy Collins and 
husband, Donald of Bakersfield; and son, Marty Tasos and wife, Lori 
of Madera, California. There are also 16 grandchildren who will miss 
their Grandpa. Also surviving Bill are sisters, Oleta Biggs of 
Milburn, Jimmie Bishop of Bakersfield, and Margaret Magee of 
Bakersfield. He is also survived by a brother, Osborne Johnson of 
Mehame, Oregon. Finally there are numerous brothers-in-law, a 92-
year-old mother-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss 
Bill.

Bill started working at the age of 12 in a grocery store and never 
really left the business. He was the owner of Dollar Bills in 
Wapanucka at the time of his death. In Bakersfield, he was the owner 
of a hugely successful independent grocery store chain, Food Town 
Markets, which at its peak, consisted of six stores. He was also an 
entrepreneur, parlaying his love of livestock into a successful feed 
store venture, The Grainery, in Bakersfield.

While in Bakersfield, Bill was the president of the Kern Grocers 
Association, sat on the Board of Directors of United Grocers, was the 
foreman of the Kern County Grand Jury and was a member of the Kern 
County Sheriffs Mounted Posse, where he loved to go on those long 
rides, taking in some beautiful scenery.

Bill loved dabbling in the cattle business and supported his children 
in their efforts by being involved in 4-H in Bakersfield. He also 
raised cattle in Bakersfield and Oklahoma. Bill was also a Mason.

Funeral services were held in Milburn, Oklahoma, February 17, 2003. 
Memorial services in Bakersfield are pending. 				
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