William Johnson Jr.
Obituary
William "Chief" Johnson Jr., Yeilxaak', 69, died Dec. 14, 2003, at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital.
He was born in Klukwan to Martha Klannott Johnson and William C. Johnson Sr. on Mar. 31, 1933. He grew up in the Chilkat Valley attending the Klukwan Bureau of Indian Affairs-operated day school through his eighth-grade year. Caretaker, or Hitsaati, of the Whale House and Raven Houses of the Gaanaxteidi, Raven Clan in Klukwan, he also worked many different capacities throughout his adult life: fishing, sawmill work for Schnabel's mill, long shoring and labor construction. He was also an avid basketball fan and a former ballplayer himself; he played for the Klukwan Vets Ball team in his younger days.
According to family members, he was not a man to seek the limelight, preferring to live a quiet life out of the public eye. Despite his efforts to avoid public scrutiny, he was chosen early in his life as the caretaker of the Raven House. In 1994, when the Whale House totems and Rainwall Screen were returned to the Village, he was given the added responsibility of caring for the Whale House. Being caretaker of these two houses was a job he took very seriously; he was diligent and faithful in his responsibility to the very end, leaving a proud legacy for his clan. In 1980, he married Josephine Johnson, formerly of Angoon.
He had suffered from medical complications for several years related to cancer and was cared for by a number of local home care providers. The Johnson, Willard and Hotch families express their deepest appreciation to the following people for their help given to him during his illness: Rod Wilkins, Will Willington, Charlotte Goldberg, Joy Lynn McGee, Kathy Lake and Erik Holmes. "Ldakat Yeechwaan, Aatl'ein Gunalcheesh - a big thank you to all of you."
He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Johnson Sr., and Martha Willard; and siblings, Kenneth Johnson, Raymer Johnson, Priscilla Johnson and Ruby Willard.
He is survived by his wife, Josephine Johnson of Klukwan; sisters, Virginia Rose Hotch of Juneau, Mayme Nickerson of Klawock, Rachel Hotch and Arlene Willard of Klukwan; brothers, Leonard Willard of Klukwan, Lawrence Willard of Haines, and Marvin Willard Sr. of Juneau; granddaughters, Helen Hotch of Juneau and Bradee Hotch of Klukwan; grandson, Melvin Starr Jr. of Juneau; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout Southeast Alaska.
Funeral services were held in Klukwan on Dec. 18. Pallbearers were Scott Hotch, Marvin Willard Jr., James Samato, Jim Stevens Sr., Jeff Klanott Sr. and Joshua Hotch. Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Hotch, Ed Warren, Wilbur Donnelly, John Katzeek, James Donnelly Sr. and Richard Warren Sr. Josephine Johnson can be contacted at Box 695, Haines, AK, 99827.