- CENTRAL CITY, Walter David Johnston, 88, of Clarks died Friday, July 18, 2008, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Solt Funeral Home in Central City. The Rev. Val Warman will officiate. Burial will be in the Bureau Cemetery by Pierce Chapel near Clarks.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mr. Johnston was born July 1, 1920, at Macon, Mich., to Elmer P. and Daisy B. (Brightbill) Johnston.
Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Viola of Grand Island formerly of Clarks; three daughters, Denise Barnes of Allen, Texas, Colleen Shepherd of Snow, Okla., and Lisa Hernandez of Tamarac, Fla.; two sons-in-law, Dennis and Alvin; five stepchildren, Leslie Beck of Clarks, Lynn Beck of Illinois, Shannon Zegar of Grand Island, Shelli and Bob Voichoskie of Silver Creek, and Sheri Topinka of Grand Island; and one sister, Imoe of California.
Additional survivors include four grandchildren, one great grandson, 12 stepgrandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
He grew up in Macon and graduated from Macon High School in 1937. On Jan. 8, 1942, Walt entered the U.S. Air Force. He served in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Northern and Southern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. His unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Walter was awarded eight Bronze Stars. Walt was honorably discharged from the military on Oct. 11, 1945. He returned to Michigan and worked for the Tecumseh Manufacturing Plant in Tecumseh. He and his wife raised their three daughters in Tecumseh. After thirty years with the Tecumseh Manufacturing Plant, Walt retired. He continued to live in Michigan, but wintered in Texas. On May 31, 1986, Walter Johnston and Viola (Tyler) Beck were united in marriage at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church near Clarks. They made their home near Clarks and enjoyed spending their winters in Texas.
Walt attended Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church and was actively involved in the church. He enjoyed many activities such as playing pool, woodworking, bowling, and fishing; but his greatest enjoyment came from playing golf.
Condolences may be sent to the family at soltfh.com.
Published by The Grand Island Independent on Jul. 21, 2008.
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1920 - 2008 (88 years)
