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
Sign Guestbook
17 Condolence(s)
Juli and Gary Wekkin
Monday, September 16, 2024
We came upon this obituary by chance after losing a close friend. Our deepest condolences to Roseanne and the family. We did not know them well but they were such a beautiful and friendly couple. Bill served his community so well and will be missed.
Stefanie Brazile
Thursday, September 12, 2024
When Don and I met Bill and Roseann at church I immediately recognized that he was a true Southern gentleman with an effervescent personality. I got to know him better at Kiwanis Club and always appreciated his friendly smile and consideration of others. Our hearts go out to Roseanne and the Johnson family. We look forward to seeing Bill again--our brother in Christ.
Kirk & Peggy Hardy
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Our prayers are with your family during this time of loss. Bill was a friend of mine for many many years and will be missed by everyone.
Kathlyn Arnett
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Rosanne and family, I am so very sorry. My prayers will be with you.
Monty Rowell
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
There are so many things that come to mind when I think of Bill. I had the pleasure of being around him for some 46 years. Of that, I worked 20 years for him at KCON. The things I learned from him about, not only the radio business, but life itself, are things I always think about. Most of all, he was a trusted friend. THAT, is hard to beat.
Richard Robinson
Monday, September 2, 2024
Bill Johnson was not only an Arkansas broadcasting legend and a successful banker, he was simply a class act. He hired me when I got out of the movie theatre business and it was a dream to work for my hometown radio station. Bill was tough, but he was fair. I grew up listening to him, had many friends who worked for me and it was great to work for him as an announcer and salesperson. He taught me a lot. I left KCON when he sold the station to a group of out-of-town businessmen. Most of us did, as a matter of fact. But I remain proud that I got to be a part of the legacy of “KCON 1230, the voice and choice of Central Arkansas since 1950!”
Gene and Carolyn Ryken
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Sorry for your loss. Bill was one of the good guys!
Rosalie Trent Patton
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Bill has been a good friend of mine as far back as I can remember. We graduated from Conway High School together & have kept in touch all through the years. I will always treasure his friendship
Jamie Gates and family
Friday, August 30, 2024
Conway and its many institutions were so fortunate to have Bill for so long. His passing is a loss of a unique type of loyalty, sense of humor, and fun. I'm so glad to have known him the way I did. Our prayers for his family and loved ones.
Vivian Lawson Hogue
Friday, August 30, 2024
There were actually so many sides to Bill Johnson, with enough to share with various people in the ages and stages of his life. My good friend, Eleanor Opitz (now deceased), used to speak with great glee of the days in our real Old Downtown Conway in the 1950s, when she and friends used to watch a trio of best friends enjoying life-after-high-school-hours or on weekends. She described Bill, Allen McGee and my brother, Noel Lawson (now deceased), as "enthusiastic, energetic" teenagers who filled the sidewalks with laughter at each others' antics and seemed to bounce as they walked. They usually ended up at Greeson's Drug Store for a cherry phosphate or Simon's grocery for cookies. Their friendships remained throughout their lives, even with very diverse and distant careers. I was fortunate to have known Bill through my brother, and will miss seeing his pleasant personality and having him as a revered Old Conway resource.
Penny Hatfield
Friday, August 30, 2024
Roseanne and family,
We always enjoyed visiting with Bill at Bear Backers or other UCA events. It seems like we always learned something when we visited with Bill. He was a great presence in Conway.
We are keeping you in our prayers as you navigate his loss.
JD and Penny Hatfield
Benny Battles
Friday, August 30, 2024
Bill was a rock star in his own way, but never lost sight of his gentlemanly charm. He was a good man and will be missed. Prayers for his family.
Bob Barham
Friday, August 30, 2024
Bill has been a friend for a long time, probably all the way back to the late 1970's. I remember hearing him when I turned on KCON radio. He had a voice like no other. He will be missed by many in Conway. Rest easy ole' friend. My deepest sympathy and prayers for his good family.
Charlotte and Charles Nabholz
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Bill Johnson was our long time dear friend whose memory we will always cherish! He was an outstanding businessman, and citizen of Conway. He was a man of many talents leaving his mark in radio broadcasting, radio ownership, leadership at UCA and in the financial industry, and on many organizations. But most of all we enjoyed his personality, humor, and gift of gab! His wife, Rosanne, was the delight of his life, and completed the couple, with whom we shared many years of good times. We sincerely wish all of his family peace and comfort in the memory of his life so well lived. Love, Charlotte and Charles Nabholz
Jimmy Bryant
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Bill Johnson was truly a special person. Not only was he a community leader, but he was a stalwart supporter of all things UCA! He had a special place in his heart for UCA Athletics.
Bill helped me on many occasions and was always a reliable source for UCA history information. He was a real friend, whose advice I deeply appreciated.
Bill was also a true friend to my wife’s late parents, Wilson and Billie Duvall.
Bill’s absence will leave a big void in Conway and at UCA events. He will be greatly missed.
Jann and I extend to Bill’s family our most sincere condolences.
Marsha/Lowell McClanahan
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Our deepest sympathy to your family. There are such fine memories of Bill and his family. Growing up in Conway was the best!
Joyce & John Christopher
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Bill John was a friend to all. Greeting us by name when we entered the bank or saw him in the grocery store. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayer are with the family.