Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-03-18
IN MEMORIAM

The following memoriam on the
life of the late w. R. Johnson, was
prepared and read by S. B. Tobey, be-
fore the Rotary Club, of which de-
ceased was a member, at its MONDAY
luncheon, Monday noon:
Born in La Crosse, August 5, 1870.
Died in Wausau Sunday morning,
March 9, 1919.
VIII Johnson, for by this familiar
name we knew him and loved him,
has passed out of this mortal life. on
into the invisible, but no less certain
existence of the intangible world,
where spirits commune with spirits in
the infinite spaces of God.
To him life offered no singular, spec
tacular opportunity to throw great
and dazzling light, or a dark, por-
tentious shadow upon the world. But
to few men are such occasions offered,
and only an occasional one of the few
seizes the great opportunity. His life
was that of the common folk whom
Lincoln said, God must love because
He has made so many of them" But
Will Johnson learned how to live the
common life in an uncommon way.
AS a boy he exhibited lively interest
in doing things. He found his recrea-
ton in activity. He wanted to know
how things were made and to make
them himself He sought an educa-
ton in the schools that he might know
more, and knowing more, be more
helpful to others. He loved boys and
girls and instinctively they recognized
and returned his affection. He knew
how to find the heart of boy, and
scores of boys and men in this city
can testify to the encourgem mt and
helpful uplift which they have received
from him. He loved the sweet fra
GRANGE of flowers, the melodious song
of birds, the soft, low music of the
brook and'th solemn stiffness of the
leafy woods; but he found more joy
in communicating to others an appre-
citation of the innocent and inexpensive
pleasures of a beautiful world.
He loved to make the lot of the
common folk less burdensome and
more Joyous. In his business as an
electrician he found opportunity for
service, and he had no less delight in
adding to the safety, the beauty and
the comfort of the home and the shop
than he did in the profits of his labor
A man of deep convictions, he ever
endeavored to get the viewpoint of
others, and respected views differing
from his own if honestly held. His
advice was frequently sought by par
ents in the training and education of
their children, and his sympathetic ap-
probation of the aims and aspirations
of childhood made his advice very val
liable. AS principal of the Lincoln
or nc hnnnrn6 mn nf
the Board of Education and of the
Vocational School Board he rendered
very valuable service to his city.
If, after almost fourteen years of
intimate acquaintance with Will John
son, | were asked to name his strong
est characteristic l would unhesitat-
ingly say it was his friendliness, the
outward manifestation of a loving
heart.
If a daily manifestation Of the
graces of kindness, if the unselfish
seeking the good of others, if the ex-
tending of helping hand in the dark
in the time of another's need, if the
giving a cup of strength to a human
soul in the crisis of weakness, if to be
a true friend to soul in trouble, saw
ing his faith in man and making him
believe in the existence of love both
human and divine say that his earthly
life, though it ceased where manhood's
morning scarce touched the hour of
noon, was a success.
Will johnson exemplified the spirit
of Rotary. He has left us a fine
example of unselfish service, and we
cherish with solemn joy the memory of
a friend whom we dearly loved, and
we extend to his bereaved family the
heartfelt sympathy of true friends
who share in their sorrow over his
untimely death.