JOHNSTON

WILLIAM D.

87, of Ohio Township, PA, died peacefully on April 26, 2025, preceded in death by his parents, the late William D. and Marguerite Johnston, Jr; by his late wife, Patricia (Styborski); and their daughter, (Cammy) Catherine Marie (John) Nichols; survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna (Hilliard) (Bens); step-father of Charles "CJ" (Holly Philips) Bens; loving grandfather to Jacob and Daniel Nichols, and Marisa (Bens) (John) Robertson, Joshua and Samuel Bens; brother-in-law, James "JD" Hilliard; and sister-in-law, Joyce King.

Bill graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School (1955) and Bucknell University (1959), where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after four years of ROTC. He did his basic training in Ft. Sill, OK, and served six months active duty in the Army Artillery and 7 and a half years in reserve. He was a 1st Lieutenant when discharged.

He became a Certified Public Accountant while working at Main Hurdman, CPAs, in Pittsburgh. He was an accountant at Treesdale Industries before joining the audit department of Jones and Laughlin LTV Steel, and later was the auditor of Rob Roy Industries, Verona, PA. He bought an accounting and tax practice in Butler, renamed as Johnston & Co in 1988. He later worked for the successor firms of Diehl Accounting from 2005-2021; and Bonus Accounting from 2021 through April 12, 2025.

He was President of the Butler Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and a Director of the National Board of IMA. He met his wife, Donna, at the IMA national conference in Hawaii in 1981. They were married in the outdoor chapel of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Franklin Park in 1982. He served as an Elder and Clerk of Session and was the Treasurer of Heritage until his death.

He loved travel and photography. It was his camera that drew Donna to him at the conference in Hawaii. Every June, after the annual IMA conference, they would vacation in that location afterwards. National Parks (NP) were a favorite. The summer he graduated from college, he worked as a night auditor at the Yellowstone NP, the year that they had an earthquake. One trip he planned months in advance, without the benefit of the internet, was mapping the way from Salt Lake City after visiting relatives and touring the LDS and experiencing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They went north through the Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP in Wyoming, Glacier NP, in Montana, and Mt. Rainier NP, in Washington, ending in Seattle, Washington to attend the IMA conference.

He was a gentle man, living a life of Christian service helping others with his time, talent and treasure at any time and any way possible. In 1988, he began serving on the Board of the Christ-centered ministry The DoorWay in Avalon, where they give people a second chance. He had been their President for most of those years, up until the time of his death.

After taking the Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus, TRWE, a four-day Christian renewal weekend, he worked several walk weekends in the prayer chapel. He and Donna spent many summers attending the New Wilmington Mission Conference in New Wilmington, PA, at Westminster College.

Cremation services are handled by SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME, 1600 Stone Mansion Dr., Sewickley, PA, where visitation will take place May 2, 2025, from 2-7pm. The funeral service will be 11 am, at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 2262 Rochester Rd., Franklin Park, PA, May 3, 2025, followed by lunch. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Allison Park, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Presbyterian Church or The DoorWay, 10 California Ave., Avalon, PA.