William Earl “Hardrock” Johnston, Jr. was born on December 25, 1944, in Saint Louis, Missouri. He departed life on November 6, 2020, at the age of 75, at Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, Missouri.
Jr. attended school in Fremont/Van Buren, Missouri. As a kid, he loved to go fishing and hunting with his grandpa Ev. Jr. was drafted into the Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam 1967-1968 and later was honorably discharged in 1968. Shortly after being discharged, Jr. went to work in the lead mines. In 1985 he started to drive a truck and continued for several years until retiring.
On August 15, 1964, William was united in marriage to his wife of 56 years, Lynda Dianne (Martin) Johnston. They were married in Dianne’s parents’ living room in Winona, Missouri. To this union two daughters were born, Connie and Tracy.
Jr. loved his family and was a strong and respectful man. Enjoying retirement, he and his wife put a camper at the lake and spent many summer days and nights fishing and barbequing with friends and family. Jr. loved spending time with his family and especially fishing with his best friend and fishing partner, Mike “Generator” Brake. He enjoyed working on the road and was always there to help any person who needed help. Jr. was a very selfless man and was willing to do anything for his family and friends. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and learn. He was a family man through and through.
“Hardrock” is survived by his wife, Lynda Dianne Johnston of the home; daughters, Connie Weber and husband, Glen, of Timber, MO and Tracy Haynes and husband, Mike, of Mountain View, MO; brothers, Dennis Johnston and wife, Deena, of Winona MO, and Gary Johnston and wife, Phyllis, of Winona, MO; sisters, Karen Fears of Winona, MO, Debbie Alvey and husband, Richard, of Hannibal, MO, Sharron Lathance of Hannibal MO, Patricia Blunkall and husband, Roger, of Claremore, OK; grandchildren, Victoria Shepherd and husband, Dustin, of Salem, MO, Slade Weber of Timber, MO, Breona Haynes of Warrensburg, MO, Ethan Haynes of Mountain View, MO, and William Haynes and wife, Kymberly, of Mountain View, MO; and great-grandchildren, Will Shepherd, Ben Shepherd, Caleb Meeker, Hannah Meeker, Grace Shepherd, Blake Renegar, Brilynn Renegar, William D. Haynes, and Esme Haynes; and a host of nieces and nephews.
“Hardrock” is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ev and Verna Jones; paternal grandparents, Leona Hill and Mac Johnston; his father, William Johnston Sr. and wife Sylvia Johnston; mother, Alma Lee (Jones) Johnston of Winona, Mo; and brother-in-law, Michael Lathance.
Jr. will be greatly missed by many. He was a legend and will forever remain in our hearts.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2020, in Yarber Mortuary, Winona, Missouri with Pastor Jeff Brake officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Horner Cemetery, Winona, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
