of Conway, AR

May 15, 1939 - August 27, 2024

Bill Johnson, well-known for a half century in Conway as a sportscaster, banker and community leader died August 27, 2024 at his home. He was incapacitated by complications from hip surgery in early November 2023 and had been in rehabilitation or hospice care since.

The younger of two sons, Billy Farrel was born to Hulon H. and Norma Warbritton Johnson on May 15, 1939. He was preceded in death by his brother, James and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rosanne Hubbard Johnson; daughter, Bliss (Dr. John) Dean; son, Jay (Allison) Jennings; grandchildren, Anna Bliss and Andrew Dean, Megan Farrel and Ashley Jennings all of Little Rock; niece, Jacalyn (Burt) Glenn and nephew, Mark Johnson of Conway.

Johnson's 45-year career in sports broadcasting began on radio station KCON in 1961 with an ASTC (UCA) Bears basketball game in the NAIA tournament. He later would become widely recognized as the ''Voice of the Bears''. His career in banking began in 1977 as President and CEO of Security Savings and Loan.

Bill graduated from Conway High School in 1957 and enrolled at Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) and immediately became involved on campus. He joined Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity and served as its president before earning his BSE in history in three years. He was also working part time at KCON Radio. Upon graduation, he taught history at North Little Rock High School for a semester and then rejoined KCON full time.

Johnson developed an early interest in the local sports teams and St. Louis Cardinal baseball. His interest in sports play-by-play was piqued as a high school sophomore when a KCON broadcaster for the station, asked him to be his ''spotter''. Johnson was back at KCON only a brief time in 1961 when the station owner, James Clayton died unexpectedly, Johnson was named general manager and later became part owner.

When manager at KCON, Johnson emphasized local news shows, weather and live sports coverage of Hendrix College, Conway High and UCA. Some schools in the 1960s hesitated to allow radio broadcasts, concerned it would adversely affect attendance at games, but in Conway, the fans still came and many brought transistor radios, especially to football games, while listening to Johnson as they watched.

Johnson acted as sports analysist for the University of Arkansas football radio network beginning in 1968. When play-by-play man, Bud Campbell, died in a car accident early in the 1974 season, Johnson called play-by-play for the remaining 10 games. He would broadcast the Arkansas day games and then, when there was enough time, fly to Conway to do UCA's night game. He was late only once.

When Johnson retired from banking and radio in 2006, he had broadcast 765 basketball games and 468 football games. Johnson's broadcast style featured homespun humor based on familiar scenes from southern culture. For instance, in football, when a defensive player made a quick tackle on the ball carrier that resulted in no gain or a loss, Johnson routinely exclaimed, ''Fans, he was on him like a chicken on a June bug!''.

Johnson also had a long career in financial institutions. He was asked to serve on the Board of Directors at Security Savings and Loan Association in Conway in 1975. Following two years on the board, Johnson was named president and chief executive officer. He, with the backing of a conservative Board allowed Security Savings and Loan, one of a handful of its kind, to survive the national savings and loan crisis of the 1980s.

Security Savings and Loan changed its name to Security Bank of Conway in 1991 and Johnson remained with Security Bank as President and CEO. In 1996, Security Bank was sold to Mercantile Bank of St. Louis, Missouri. Johnson left Mercantile and with the assistance of Ritchie Howell and Philip Shell, organized and opened First Financial Bank of Conway until its sale to Simmons Bank four years later. He served as Simmons community president until his retirement. During his banking career, he also served on the board of the Arkansas League of Savings Institutions.

Johnson's love of Conway was reflected in his service to various professional, civic and community organizations. He was appointed to two seven-year terms on the UCA Board of Trustees, initially being asked to do so by Governor Winthrop Rockefeller in 1970 and reappointed by Governor David Pryor in 1977. Johnson also served on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for ten years, having been appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee.

Johnson was named president of the Conway Chamber of Commerce in 1976. He served as president of the Conway Kiwanis Club in 1977 and as chairman of the Faulkner County Museum Board in 2003. He was a board member of the Conway Development Corporation for 10 years and on the board of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He was also elected for two terms on the Faulkner County Quorum Court.

Johnson was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, awarded lifetime membership in the Arkansas Broadcasters Association and received the Award of Exceptional Achievement from the Arkansas Community Development Program as well as the Distinguished Service Award from the Conway Chamber of Commerce and he was a founding member of the Conway Men's Chorus.

A meaningful award to him, was the first annual Joe B. McGee Award for meritorious service to Conway athletics, given by the Conway Sports Commission. He had grown up across the street from McGee and they remained close friends until McGee's death. McGee once took him to St. Louis for a Cardinals game when Stan Musial played and it was one of his most treasured memories.

Johnson was an ordained Elder at First Presbyterian Church and a charter member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Conway.

He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve and became a Sergeant first class. His active duty at Ft. Polk, Louisiana was the only time he lived away from his beloved hometown, Conway.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to:
Grace Methodist Church for hosting the memorial service
Gentiva Hospice
Dr. Brad Tilley
Katie Goss, RN
Anne Moore, LPN
Hospice Aides
Caroline McCray, caregiver
Carol McCray, caregiver

In lieu of flowers, please consider:
Grace Presbyterian Church building fund
UCA Athletic Foundation
Faulkner County Museum

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com