Floyd J. Johnson, age 86 of Wausau passed away on June 18, 2015 at Mount View Care Center.
Floyd was born August 22, 1928 in Merrill, WI, son of John E. Johnson and Thresa M. (Allgaier) Johnson. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1946 and lettered in football, basketball and boxing.
He married Velda E. Gustavson on October 2, 1950.
Floyd served in the 2nd Armored Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant with an honorable discharge in 1952.
Returning to Wisconsin, Floyd resumed employment at Wausau Paper Mills, where he was the Manager of Stock Preparation until his retirement in 1985. He was instrumental in the creation of the paper mill’s successful line of colorful “Astro Bright’s” writing paper. Floyd was a member of the “Technical Association of Pulp & Paper Industries” and the “Paper Industry Management Association”. He was active in the Wisconsin Valley Supervisors Club, where he served two terms as President.
Floyd served 10 years on the Wausau City Council and he was also elected to the Marathon County Board from 1972 to 1982. He served as Chairman of the Marathon County Board’s Finance Committee from 1974 to 1980.
As an active member of Wausau’s Masonic Lodge, Floyd was involved as a Shriner in the Zor “Wausauken Indian” Shrine unit, where he would parade to help raise funds for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. He helped many Central Wisconsin children receive medical care from the Shriner Hospital, at times driving children and their parents over to the hospital himself for their doctor appointments.
Floyd was a member of Wesley Methodist Church in Wausau, and served a term as President of the Church Council. He was also a church usher, and very active on Wesley’s Dart ball team.
After his retirement from Wausau Papers, Floyd and Velda spent 18 years as antique dealers. Floyd particularly enjoyed refinishing beautiful antique wood furniture for their shop in Merrill’s Antique Mall. During their retirement years, Floyd and Velda enjoyed golfing, fishing and pontoon boat rides with friends and family at their cottage on Bear Lake in Hazelhurst, WI. They also enjoyed numerous winter trips down to Inverness, Florida. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Floyd and Velda made a special trip to Hawaii.
Floyd is survived by his wife Velda, son Ron Johnson of Wausau, daughter Sally Young and her husband Mike Young of Arbor Vitae, WI, and Granddaughter Dorie Klassen and her husband Dr. Adam Klassen of Bellingham, WA. Floyd is also survived by three nephews, and one niece. He is preceded in death by both parents and one sister Rose Betty Thomason.
A memorial service for Floyd Johnson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 24, 2015 at Wesley Methodist Church, 1101 Elm St, Wausau. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to the time of services at the church. The Rev. Jef Olson will officiate.
Memorial donations to honor Floyd may be sent to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, c/o Zor Temple, 575 Shrine Place, Madison, WI 53719, to The Lincoln County Humane Society, 200 North Memorial Dr. Merrill, WI 54452 or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.