Roy Daniel Johnson, 95, of Green Bay, joined his beloved wife Emerine in heaven on Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Roy was born in a log house in Duvall, Wisconsin, on August 30, 1926, to the late Daniel and Rose (DeWitt) Johnson and grew up in the Brussels area. He was very proud of his Belgian heritage (Jeanson) and spoke fluent Walloon. Roy began working in the Sturgeon Bay shipyards as a summer job when he was only 16 and stayed to help support his family until he was drafted in November of 1944. A proud veteran of the US Navy, Roy served on the USS Portsmouth as Oil King during its shakedown cruise to Cuba in 1945. They were ordered to the Pacific via the Panama Canal for the invasion of Japan but were called back when Japan surrendered.
After the war, Roy met Emerine Deprey at a local dance, and they married at St Louis Church in Dykesville on June 1, 1949 and became life-long dance partners. They filled their home with friends, children, and laughter, enjoying a happy marriage until her death in 2002. Together, they taught their six children to work hard and laugh and play whenever possible.
Roy was an electrician at Proctor and Gamble for over 35 years before retiring in 1988. After retirement, he enjoyed perch fishing on the Bay with his Proctor and Gamble buddies and grandson, Devin, playing cards, helping his friends and family, reading about military history, and watching football. He was a longtime Packers fan and season ticket holder and attended the Ice Bowl with his son Dan, brother Lloyd, and nephew Jim.
Throughout his life, Roy was an active member of the community. A true gentleman, he always held the door for others and was the first to offer help to anyone in need. Family and friends would often call for help on home projects and car repairs. Without a second thought, he would drive over and fix, make, or repair the item. He and Emerine were active members of the St Bernard Church community, and their faith was central to their lives. He was also a longtime member, former vice president, and board member of Green Bay’s Pizaza club, where he rarely missed a Thursday afternoon card game.
Roy will be sadly missed by his children, Dan (Merry) Johnson, Milwaukee and their son Chris; Ken (Deborah) Johnson, Madison, and their children Daniel (Mikaela), Michael, and Emily; Gary (Patricia) Johnson, Florida; Jerry Johnson, Madison; Sharon (Larry) Morrisette, St Paul, and their children Abby (Garret), Alex, and Sophia; Wendy (Randy) Thorson, Green Bay and their children Corey (Amy), Devin, and Laura; great-grandchildren: Annika, Wyatt, and Bebe. He’ll also be missed by his brother Lloyd (Elsie) Johnson, Florida; sisters-in-law Etta Deprey and Donna Deprey, both of Green Bay; brother-in-law Tom Seidl, Luxemburg; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Emerine, parents Daniel and Rose Johnson, and brothers and sisters Beatrice (Hank), Virgil (Wilfred), Marcella (Clarence), Mable (Paul), and Bob (Marion). He was also preceded by Emerine’s family, who were as dear to him as his own family: parents-in-law Rose and John Deprey, Melvin (Valerie) Deprey, Madeline (Sonny) Derenne, John Deprey, Jim Deprey, and Rose Seidl.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Deb Cumings, Kenny Nelson, Tom Ropson, Llew and Julie Kramer, and all the friends and neighbors who brought so much care and friendship to Roy’s life during his final years.
Family and friends may come to St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Drive, on Friday, October 8: visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Pizaza club memorial at 11:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. The family requests all visitors wear masks to avoid Covid spread. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.