Billy Eugene Johnson, 89, of Keytesville, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Glasgow, Missouri.
Billy was born on March 6, 1937, in Keytesville, Missouri, the eldest son of Ronaldo Vonceil “Rook” (Smith) and Russell Eugene “Gene” Johnson. He graduated from Keytesville R-III High School with the Class of 1955.
On March 30, 1958, Billy was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Howard in Salisbury, Missouri. Together they shared, in Billy’s words, “the best 57 years of our lives” until Mary’s passing in July 2014. They were blessed with four children: Benjamin “Benji,” Bruce, Beth, and Brian.
Billy owned and operated Bill & Bill’s Phillips 66 Station in Keytesville. He also worked at the Ford Assembly Plant in Kansas City before retiring from Semco in Salisbury. Throughout the area, Billy was perhaps best known for his logging business, B.E. Johnson Logging, where he earned a reputation for being fair, honest, and respectful.
Billy loved to weld, build, create, hunt, fish, cut timber, help others, and tackle just about any project. Above all else, his greatest love was his family.
He is survived by his son, Brian Johnson of Keytesville; three brothers, Raymond “Butch” McKenzie (Tracy) of Keytesville, Larry McKenzie (Barbara) of Salisbury, and Jesse McKenzie (Julia) of Keytesville; two sisters, Peggy Howard of Pleasant Hill and Faye Cruse (Larry) of Salisbury; sister-in-law, Barbara Stump (Paul) of Polo; brother-in-law, Ronnie Fitzpatrick of Glasgow; five grandchildren, Jeremiah “Jake” Johnson of Slater, Kyle Johnson of Columbia, Josh Saulter of Texas, Justin Saulter of Washington, and Jordan Saulter of Washington; six great-grandchildren, Capt. Elizebeth Johnson of Fort Carson, Colorado, Mykah Parker (Tevin) of Slater, Jenna Hill of Oak Grove, Ella Hill of Carrollton, Evan Johnson of Cairo, and Kyndle Johnson of Slater; and four great-great-grandchildren, Aspen Grace Moore, Keston Parker, Laken Parker, and Canyon Parker.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his dad, Raymond “Mac” McKenzie; his beloved wife, Mary; his children, Benjamin “Benji” Johnson, Bruce Johnson, and Beth Ball; two sisters, Lois Fitzpatrick and Kay Lee; infant brother, Jerry Lee McKenzie; two sisters-in-law, Theresa McKenzie and Maxine Howard; five brothers-in-law, Charles, George, Marvin, Delmer, and Harold Howard; and one son-in-law, Mike Saulter.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Bennett Cemetery, north of Keytesville. Visitation will be held Thursday from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at Summerville Funeral Home in Salisbury.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Bennett Cemetery.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
