“US Army Retiree” Waterbury – Sgt. Major John W. "Bill” Johnson Jr., age 87, of 228 Judith Lane, died Wednesday January 19, 2011 at the Village Green of Waterbury after a long illness. He was the husband for 64 years of Claire Jean (Saucier) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Naugatuck on March 20, 1923 a son of the late John William Johnson Sr. and the late Lillian (May) Johnson. He was retired from the Lombard Trucking Company where he worked as a truck driver for over 30 years and was a member of the Teamsters Union and a former member of the Wolcott Land Owners Association. Mr. Johnson was a U.S. Army veteran having retired after 36 years of service. He served in the Battery A 387th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion and was a recipient of the victory medal, good conduct medal European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the “Purple Heart”. He was a member of the American Legion Post #17 in Naugatuck and the Oakville V.F.W. Besides his wife, Mr. Johnson is survived by 6 daughters, Lillian Estelle Johnson of Waterbury, Eleanor Claire Johnson of New York City, Beatrice Anne Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mary Ellen Cuatt of Waterbury, formerly of Winsted, Theresa Lynne Johnson of Waterbury and Barbara Jeanne Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, a son: John William "Bill" Johnson III and his wife Mary of Naugatuck, a brother: Thomas Johnson and his wife Marilyn of Naugatuck, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother: Franklin S. Johnson and 2 sisters: Captain Lillian Evans, USANC and Eleanor Monroe. The funeral will be held on Monday January 24,2011 at 10:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home 82 Fairview Ave. Naugatuck to the Naugatuck Congregational Church 9 Division St. Naugatuck for services at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck in the Spring. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday January 23,2011 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to: Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, PO Box 553, Naugatuck CT 06770 for the Johnson Family Trust.