Basil William Johnson, the son of William and Grace (Bauer) Johnson, was born on October 11, 1929, in Davenport, Nebraska. He passed away on November 26, 2023, at Bryan LGH West in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 94 years, 1 months and 15 days.
He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, Nebraska, went to a rural grade school and graduated from Davenport High School in May, 1947.
He married Eulanda Lacey in 1951. One daughter was born to this union (Lucinda) June 26, 1955.
Basil enlisted in the U.S. Navy, March 17, 1952. He graduated from Aviation Machinist School in Norman, Oklahoma, first in his class and was assigned to flight duty at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. In 1954 he was transferred to Airborne Early Warning, NAS Agana, Guam, and served there as air crew flying typhoon weather patrols. He was honorably discharged from active duty in March, 1956 and was transferred to the Naval Air Reserve and proudly served for a combined 30 years in the U.S. Navy. Chief Petty Officer Johnson retired on May 1, 1982, at NAS Olathe, Kansas.
Basil married Ilene M. Wagner on February 12, 1965. They were blessed with a son, Russell, on April 16, 1966, and a daughter who was stillborn in 1969. They farmed south of Davenport and retired in 1994. They later moved to Superior, Nebraska.
He was a member of the American Legion for 68 years, the Fleet Reserve Association since 1981, a life member of the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association and a 47-year member of the Superior Elks Lodge.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eldon (Edna, deceased); sisters, Artha Irene, Norma (Keith, deceased) Frye, and Eunice (Vic, deceased) Harms.
Survivors include his wife, Ilene of Lincoln; brother, Gayle (Gwen) of Davenport; brother, Victor (Peggy, deceased) of Papillion; daughter, Lucinda (Roger, deceased) of Lubbock, Texas; son Russ, (Heather) of Kansas City, Missouri; stepson, Randall (Maggie) of Bitely, Michigan; stepdaughter, Rita (Mike) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Melissa (Pat), April (Eugene), Lindsey (Joey), Victoria (Mark), Olivia, Sophia, Annie May, Jon, Angi (Jerome); great-grandchildren, Patrick (Audrey), Dylan, Kaleigh, Brody, Ellyson, Bentley, Jackson, Konnor, Lennon, Evelyn, Zeneca, Nehemiah, Ezariah, Evelia; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior, Nebraska. Pastor Bonnie Brock will officiate.
Burial with Military Honors by Post #242 will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nebraska.
Memorials may be given to Ruskin American Legion Post #242.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N. Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900