Basil Johnson

Basil William Johnson, the son of William and Grace (Bauer) Johnson, was born on Oct. 11, 1929, in Davenport, Nebraska. He died on Nov. 26, 2023, at Bryan LGH West in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 1 months, 15 days.

He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, Nebraska, went to a rural grade school and graduated from Davenport High School, May 1947.

He married Eulanda Lacey in 1951. One daughter was born to this union (Lucinda) June 26, 1955.

Basil enlisted in the U.S. Navy, March 17, 1952. He graduated from Aviation Machinist School, Norman, Oklahoma, first in his class and was assigned to flight duty at the Naval Air Station Alameda, California. In 1954, he was transferred to Airborne Early Warning, NAS Agana, Guam, and served there as air crew flying typhoon weather patrols. He was honorably discharged from active duty in March 1956 and was transferred to the Naval Air Reserve. He proudly served for a combined 30 years in the U.S. Navy. Chief Petty Officer Johnson retired on May 1, 1982, at NAS Olathe, Kansas.

Basil married Ilene M. Wagner on Feb. 12, 1965. They were blessed with a son, Russell, on April 16, 1966, and a daughter who was stillborn in 1969. They farmed south of Davenport and retired in 1994. They later moved to Superior, Nebraska.

He was a member of the American Legion for 68 years, the Fleet Reserve Association since 1981, a life member of the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association and a 47-year member of the Superior Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eldon (Edna, deceased); sisters: Artha Irene, Norma (Keith, deceased) Frye, and Eunice (Vic, deceased) Harms.

Survivors include his wife, Ilene, of Lincoln; brothers, Gayle (Gwen) of Davenport, and Victor (Peggy, deceased) of Papillion; daughter, Lucinda (Roger, deceased) of Lubbock, Texas; son, Russ (Heather) of Kansas City, Missouri; step-son, Randall (Maggie) of Bitely, Michigan; step-daughter, Rita (Mike) of Lincoln; grandchildren: Melissa (Pat), April (Eugene), Lindsey (Joey), Victoria (Mark), Olivia, Sophia, Annie May, Jon, Angi (Jerome); great-grandchildren: Patrick (Audrey), Dylan, Kaleigh, Brody, Ellyson, Bentley, Jackson, Konnor, Lennon, Evelyn, Zeneca, Nehemiah, Ezariah, Evelia; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday Dec. 2, 2023, at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska, with the Rev. Bonnie Brock officiating. The service will include "We'll Talk It Over" and "The Navy Hymn" with Theresa Christensen as organist. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. Interment with full military honors will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Superior, Nebraska. The pallbearers will be Phil Johnson, Murray Johnson, Chris Frye, Steve Harms, Doug Harms, Jay Johnson, and Jeff Johnson.

Memorials are suggested to go to the American Legion, Ruskin, Nebraska, Post No. 242.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of http://www.price funeralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is overseeing the arrangements.