David W. Johnson

David Wylie Johnson, 86, of Washington, died Thursday, September 11, 2014, in his home. Born May 2, 1928, in a stone house on Johnson Road, Washington, he was a son of Marion C. Johnson and Nettie Kelsey Johnson. He grew up in a cow barn without electricity and shared a party-line phone with eight families. Mr. Johnson graduated from Trinity High School in 1947. He learned how to build outhouses and could build a one-holer or two-holer. He hoed corn for $2.00 a day until he joined the Army on November 15, 1950. While in the Army, he became a member of the Signal Corps during the Korean War. During his service, he became life-long friends with people from New England and met kids who were cowboys. Upon leaving the Army, he hitchhiked across the U.S. a couple of times, eventually re-settling in Washington and taking a job with Bell Telephone. At a company Christmas Party, he met the woman who was to become his wife, Violet Bissett. Their combined wages were less than $100 a week. That is when a Model T car could be bought for $400. Mr. Johnson was a member of Avery United Methodist Church, where he was the lay leader for two ministers and served in every office and on every church committee. In addition, he was a member of Bell Pioneers, L.O.O.M. and Buffalo Grange 1523, where he was a past master, and a life member of American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Mr. Johnson was a charter member of Wabellco Federal Credit Union and a loyal follower of TWIST softball games. He enjoyed hunting and watching the Steelers. In his own words, “I’ve lived a good life.” On August 28, 1954, he married Violet Iverna Bissett, who died May 23, 2003. Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Lois Johnson; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Dave) Mueller of York, Donna Johnson of Washington, Barbara (Alex) Keathley of Florida, Jessica (Ian) Heller of Washington and David W. Johnson III of Pittsburgh; a sister-in-law, Kate Johnson; three nieces, Sharon Johnson, Karen (Tommy) Quinn and Judy Bolinger; two nephews, John (Cheryl) Knestrick and Mark (Joyce) Knestrick; and several great nieces and great nephews. Deceased are a son, David W. Johnson Jr.; three brothers, Paul, John and George Allen Johnson; and two sisters, Helen Dailey and Frances Knestrick. Friends will be received Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 15th, with Rev. Erik Hoeke officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Hunt-Kennedy Post 639, Claysville. Memorial contributions may be made to Avery United Methodist Church, 1100 Gabby Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.