William Edward Johnson III (Billy, Will) died at age 45 at a friend's apartment where he was staying. He was a lifetime Colorado resident. He died of apparent cardiac arrest/heart failure on April 17, 2018.
Billy was born December 5, 1972 at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, to William Edward Johnson II and Gloria Zalansky Johnson (now Chism). He attended Buena Vista Elementary, West Junior High, and Coronado High School. He also attended Western State in Gunnison.
Billy was very outgoing, and made friends easily. His friendships were always very important to him. Many of those friendships endured from junior and senior high school.
Because of his affability, he excelled at retail sales. He also performed very well in his work with the ARC, where he received a number of bonuses and promotions for his excellent management skills.
He is survived by his father, William Edward Johnson II of Pagosa Springs; his mother and stepfather, Gloria and Jerry (Smokey) Chism of Colorado Springs; and his brother and sister-in-law, Bryan and Sarah Johnson of Divide. He is also survived by step-siblings Linda Garcia and husband Abel of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Tracy and wife Jennifer Chism of Mustang, Oklahoma; Theresa Chism of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Angela Buzbee of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Other survivors include his aunt Jean Ciccarelli and husband Ray of New Paltz, New York; Uncle Michael Johnson of Colorado Springs; aunts Theresa Orlando and Rose Johnson of Colorado Springs; cousins Vincent Ciccarelli of Albany, New York; Gina Onorato of Chesterfield, New Hampshire; Joseph Ciccarelli of Aiea, Hawaii; Mary Swain of San Diego, California; Christopher Orlando of Boulder; Crystal Johnson of Lynwood, Washington; and NIcholas Orlando of Colorado Springs.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Evelyn Zalansky and William and Sophie Johnson, as well as his beloved Doberman, Nycon.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, with Father Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap, as celebrant. Music was provided by Audrey Sujkowski. Pallbearers were William Johnson II, Bryan Johnson, Nicholas Orlando, John Penberthy, Chris Forbes, and Elizabeth Clester. A reception in the parish hall followed the Mass. Billy's cremains will be buried at a later date on his father's property in Pagosa Springs.
