Harold J. “Butch” Johnson Jr., 68, of Taylorville passed away at 9:31am on Saturday, October 29, 2016 in Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He was born on May 15, 1948, the son of Harold J and Eula (Stewart) Johnson. He married Susan K Armstrong on November 7, 1970 at the Davis Memorial Christian Church in Taylorville. He served in the United States Army with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam conflict. After returning from the service, he worked as a lab technician at Georgia Pacific. Mr. Johnson was a retired farmer, contractor, and co-owner of Taylorville Auto Sales along with his son Brad. He was a member of the Taylorville First United Methodist Church. After his family and faith, cars were his passion. He was an avid collector and restorer of Corvettes. His pride was his 1970 Chevelle, of which he was the original owner and was able to repurchase just a few years ago. Butch also raised many Dachshunds over the years, including JoJo and Dexie.
He is survived by his wife: Susie Johnson of Taylorville; son: Brad Johnson of Taylorville; daughter: Shannan Rodgers of St. Louis; grandchildren: Braden Johnson and Brooke Hepworth; sisters: Anna (Jerry) Chance and Janet (Faron) Brown both of Taylorville; aunts: Ida DeClerck, Dorothy Peters, and Pat Price; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister: Char Johnson.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10am on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 in the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville with Rev. Becky Lembke officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7pm on Tuesday at McClure Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Memorials may be made to the Taylorville First United Methodist Church or the St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital for Children. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is handling arrangements. Memories of Butch, or condolences to the family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com
