WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, 63, of 7 Sergeant Street, Stockbridge, died Wednesday evening at his home.
Born in Scott, Georgia, on October 5, 1943, the son of the late Freddie and Gussie
Grimes Johnson. He was a 1961 graduate of Wrightsville High School and attended
Georgia Tech. He moved to The Berkshires in the late 1960s.Mr. Johnson was employed as a case manager for the Department of Mental
Retardation for 22 years. Prior to that, he had been Assistant Director and then Executive
Director of The Christian Center from 1973 to 1982.Active in the Pittsfield community, Mr. Johnson served as Vice Chairman of
the Human Rights Commission, a member of the former Urban Coalition, a board
member for Berkshire Mental Health and Retardation, and a member of the Berkshire
Chapter of the NAACP. He was keenly aware and active in political and community
affairs and, at one time, was a candidate for an at-large seat on the Pittsfield City
Council. He and his wife, Janet DeRita celebrated
their 24th wedding anniversary on July 8.
Mr. Johnson is survived by two sons, Troy Johnson of Framingham, and William
Johnson, II., of Los Angeles, California, an adopted son, Anthony Johnson of Chicopee;
a stepson, Troy Jackson of Beechwood, New Jersey, a stepdaughter, Kim Nelson of
Oakton, Virginia, and six grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by a stepson, Brett
Jackson.


FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, who died Wednesday, November
8, will be held Monday, November 13, at 2:00 p.m., at DERY FUNERAL HOME, with
Rev. William D. Furey, Pastor of Berkshire Union Chapel, officiating. Calling hours
will be Monday, from 1:00 to 2:00, at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions
in memory of Mr. Johnson may be made to HospiceCare in The Berkshires in care of
the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.
The calm, low-key manner with which William imparted a genuine sense of
caring and concern to all whose lives he touched over the years will be missed greatly.
Mr. Johnson also leaves his special friend, Francis Heather and his beloved dog
Charlotte.