William Johnson Obituary

William Arthur Johnson passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025. On January 7, 1933, William Arthur was born to William Alfonzo Johnson and Alice D. (Crump) Johnson of Providence, Rhode Island. He shared his parents with his younger brother Ronald Lee Johnson. "Arthur," as his family called him grew up in the city of Providence. He was an active, talented and outgoing child. His athletic ability caught the eye of LaSalle Academy, where he dominated the football field for two years. Arthur joined the US Army from 1951 to 1954. He was stationed in Germany as part of his service. He received the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal. He was very proud of his service. In 1953 Arthur met his future wife, Hazel Beatty. They married in 1954 and the two had a baby girl, Priscilla Ann. Arthur started his next phase of life as a husband, father and community activist. Arthur and Hazel were members of Hood Memorial AME Church of Providence, where Arthur flourished as a choir member and Steward. Some of his community work helped pass the Fair Housing Bill of Rhode Island. In 1968, Arthur "Bill" and his family moved to New Haven Connecticut and the second chapter of his life began. Here he worked for the Connecticut Health Center of New Haven and the Connecticut Transit Authority. Bill and Hazel joined Varick Memorial AME Church in New Haven, Connecticut. He continued to use his strong and powerful voice by joining the Clement Gospel Chorus and Varick's Men's choir. Bill was a Steward, Trustee, Lay Council Chaplin, Class Leader and Sunday School member over the past 50+ years of service to Varick. Outside of church, he was a member of the West Haven Black Coalition and Grandparents on the Move. He and Hazel had the opportunity to meet and encourage legislators, state and federal, to fund payments for 'grandparents' taking 'sole' care of grandchildren. Bill leaves to cherish his memory his wife Hazel; daughter, Priscilla A. of Hyde Park, MA; grandchildren, Juanita R Bradley of Hyde Park, MA, Preston W. Bradley (Erin A.) of Greensboro, NC; great- grandchildren, Aria L. and Kenzly J.; godson, Eric Snead of Providence, RI, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lots of friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William, please visit our floral store.