William Timothy Johnston's Obituary
William Timothy Johnston, Sr of Lutz, Fl died peacefully, with his wife Frances by his side on December 1, 2024. Born on February 15, 1947 in Quitman, Georgia to wonderful and loving parents Porter H. Johnston and Annie Caroline Akins Johnston. The family moved to Tampa, Florida in the mid1950s.
To his family and friends, he was always known as ‘Tim”. He had a great personality. His was a gift that drew people to him; the type of person not easily forgotten. Tim always found a way to make life better. He worked for the railroad, took his college courses, flew helicopters and still managed to keep his family safe and sound. The man could surely multi-task. Later in life he became an insurance agent, not just an agent; but a mentor, a friend, someone others in the field could count on,
Tim received degrees from Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. He graduated from King High School in 1965 and chose to serve with the National Guard. He became a commissioned officer on June 25,1967. As always, when an opportunity arose; he took it. He was assigned temporary active duty with the Army. The first time he received his wings was for becoming a helicopter pilot for the National Guard. He proudly displayed the following:
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter - silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high un-trespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Tim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Frances Barcelo Johnston, their daughter Jenean Patricia Van Manen (Jeff Juncos), their son William “Tim” Johnston II (Charity), granddaughters: Caroline Van Manen, Andrea Love (Alex), Caitlyn Johnston, Juliana Van Manen (Rebecca Franks). Great Grandsons: Conan and Carter, Sisters: Patricia Jenkins, Alacia Garrett (Bill). Brother-in-laws: Alfred (Freddy) Barcelo (Judy), Anthony Barcelo, Sr. sister-in-law: Delia Barcelo Radcliff (Gus). Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, wonderful and dear friends; so many to list, you know who you are, much love.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, please send donation to Melech Hospice House
https://www.chaptershealth.org/foundation/chapters-health-hospice-donation/
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