William Johnston
February 19, 2017
William Lee Johnston, 95, was born on February 3, 1922, in Clinton, IL, to William and Ora Ford Johnston, and passed away on February 19, 2017, in Bloomington, IL. He and Bette Jean Daily were married on December 24, 1943. William graduated from Illinois State University in 1946, after which he attended the Trinity College of Music, London, England, in 1946. He earned a master of science degree in 1948 and the doctorate of education degree in 1966, both from the University of Illinois. From 1943 to 1946, William was in the Army Air Force Band and served with the 9th Air Force in the European Theater for 15 months. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including music- and consumer education-related associations. From 1940-1943, he was a professional musician in Bloomington, IL. Other work experiences included director of instrumental and vocal music (1948- 1957), Plainfield, IL; assistant professor of music (1957-1961), University of Wisconsin-Madison; Illinois state supervisor of music education (1961-1965); director of curriculum services, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (1965-1971), State of Illinois; director of consumer education (1971-1977), State of New Jersey; adjunct professor of curriculum and instruction (1972-1976), Rutgers University; and professor of consumer studies, director of the National Center for Consumer Services, and director of the National Consumer Internship Program (1977-1987), at Oklahoma State University. William was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Mary Beth Johnston. Survivors include his wife, Bette Johnston and son William (Debbie) as well as two grandchildren and one great-grandson.