William "BJ" H. Johnson

William "BJ" H. Johnson, age 82, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, surrounded by his family.  A Celebration of Life will be from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  A time of sharing will take place at 2:00 p.m., followed by lunch at 3:00 p.m.  This service will be livestreamed via our website.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the family.

Burial will be at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD, on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

BJ was born on June 12, 1944, in Rockford, IL, to Harvey and Vera (Lindahl) Johnson. He graduated from East High School in Rockford, IL, in 1962. After high school He entered the Navy from 1962 to 1966.

On January 12, 1984, BJ married Barbara (McGuire) Johnson in Rockford, IL. After his time in the Navy, he went and worked for AT&T until his retirement.

BJ was a member of the American Legion in Watertown. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, Bowling and golf. He was a diver and an avid trap and skeet shooter. He was a lifetime member of the Watertown trap and skeet range and a part of the Watertown Ducks Unlimited. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He greatly enjoyed watching the Packers and would say Go Packers often; he was also a fan of the White-Socks and NASCAR. On Sundays he would go to the Dakota Sioux Casino to watch football and NASCAR.

BJ is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Watertown; six daughters and step-daughters: Jennifer (Dean) Cardoso of Rockford, IL, Leanne Johnson of San Diego, CA, Susan (John) Spilman of Chicago, IL, Wendy Johnson of Rockford, IL, Michelle (Tony) Scrivano of Buckeye, AZ, and Shannon Henderson of Watertown, SD; seven grandchildren: Christopher Johnson, Timothy Paige, Chance Martinez, Will Henderson, Ray Henderson, Nathaniel Spilman, and Graham Spilman; one great grandchild, Serenity Johnson; one sister, Elizabeth (Sam) Armato; former wife, Mary Nichols.

BJ was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers Carl and Edward Johnson.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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