William Preston Johnson, Jr.

Born February 25,1935, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to William Preston Johnson, Sr. and Selma Luckensmeier Johnson. He was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. His family owned and operated Ike's Chili Parlor. Bill graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1953 and became an Eagle Scout in Troop 1. As a youth, he worked for the chili business and for DeHaven's Florist.

Bill attended Rice University in Houston, TX, and joined the ROTC. He participated in marching band and shooting team. He earned two bachelor's degrees, a BA in 1957 and a BS in Civil Engineering in 1958. He served in the US Army Corps of Engineers in France and returned to Tulsa to work for the Corps as a civilian where he became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1965. He also earned his MS in Structural Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

While in Tulsa, Bill met Elaine Kaveler Hockett. They were married June 4, 1966 and moved to Dallas. Bill continued his service to the Corps at the Southwest Division office. Elaine and Bill raised their sons, Stephen and Michael, in Dallas. Bill took great pride that both earned their Eagle Scout ranks while Bill served many years as the Scoutmaster of Troop 579. After Stephen started college, Bill, Elaine, and Michael moved to Virginia for one year so Bill could receive advanced training for his job with the Corps.

While working with the Corps, Bill was honored with the Southwest Division Engineering Excellence Award 1992 and nationally as Program Manager of the Year 1997. When he retired from the Corps in 1998, Bill was inducted into the Southwest Division Gallery of Distinction.

The family joined Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in 1966. Bill was very active as an Elder, teacher, usher, and committee member (both Property and Finance) for many years. They made many life-long friends.

Bill was active in the Dallas Founders Lions Club, the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) Dallas Branch, and the Society for American Military Engineers Dallas Post, serving as an officer and President of each. Bill was also an officer with the Texas Section of ASCE and a member of the ASCE History and Heritage Committee at the national level. He was also an active supporter of Mi Escuelita Preschools serving as Santa Claus for many years. Bill's genealogy hobby allowed him to become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

ASCE honored Bill with the Texas Section History and Heritage Award 1989, Outstanding Achievement Award 1993, and Texas Section Professional Service Award 1994.

Bill and Elaine were intrepid travelers. They visited all seven continents at least once and cruised on many of the world's oceans and great rivers.

Bill gained the gift of eternal life on December 10, 2024. He is survived by Elaine, his wife of 58 years; son Stephen Charles Hockett and his wife, Jill, of Houston; son Michael Preston Johnson and his wife, Lisa, of Carrollton; four beloved grandchildren: Charles Preston Johnson of Fort Worth; William Tofting Johnson of Richardson; Robin (Grace) Ann Hockett of Boston, MA; and Stephen William Hockett of Houston. Bill was extremely proud that his grandsons are all Eagle Scouts. He is also survived by his brother Robert and wife Patricia of Tulsa, OK, and sister Ruth Lawrence of Indianapolis, IN, and their families.

Memorial donations are welcomed to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church for the Tuesday Morning Men's Breakfast scholarship funds or to Mi Escuelita Preschool.