C. William (Bill) Johnson, 89, formerly of Bow NH, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2014
surrounded by his loving daughters.

He was born the son of the late Amelia and William Johnson, January 22, 1925, in Pontiac, Michigan where he lived until he graduated high school. He then moved to Indiana to attend Valparaiso University, where he received a BA in 1946.

Following college, Bill enlisted in the US Army where he served his country during WWII and was discharged in 1946. Bill then enrolled in George Washington Law School, but prior to completion was accepted into the FBI and he fulfilled his dream to become a Special Agent in 1949. He was stationed in DC and then moved to NYC where he met his wife, Barbara, while spending weekends in the Hamptons. They were married on November 11, 1960.

During his career in the FBI, Bill worked in the espionage unit. It was not uncommon for him to dash off in the middle of the night to JFK Airport to prevent a Soviet spy from leaving with classified information that could be used against our country. Bill served as a Special Agent for 26 years, retiring in 1975.

Following his retirement, Bill and his family moved to Bow, NH where he would spend the next 30 years doing his favorite things – playing golf at the Concord Country Club, fishing for striped bass across the lakes of NH and Maine, and skiing across New England and Canada. He even raced in Nascar following his 70th birthday.

Bill still continued his life of service during retirement, becoming a NH State Legislator. He was also active in the Bow Men's Club and the Bow Rotary, serving as President for several years.

Following the passing of his wife in 2009, Bill moved to MA to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He brought great joy to the residents and staff of the assisted living facility where he settled. His dancing skills, big smile, FBI stories, jokes and laughter were legendary. Sadly, Bill faced his greatest challenge at the end of his life as he courageously battled Alzheimer's disease. Still, he kept smiling and shared his wonderful outlook on life, and was able to create beautiful memories for his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his two children, Karen Johnson Macumber, of Sherborn, MA and Kristine Johnson Papantonis, of Medfield, MA; his five grandchildren: Nicholas, Christopher, Alexandra, Samantha and Athena; and many friends.

The world has lost the kindest man it has ever known. He will be greatly missed.

A gathering of remembrance will be held Tuesday, February 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord, NH.
Burial will follow at the NH Veteran's Cemetery, Boscawen.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his name to the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI General Scholarship Fund (socxfbi.org).