Phillip R. Johnson was born on September 3, 1954 in Amery, Wisconsin the son of Glen Rueben and Doris (Peterson) Johnson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Clear Lake, Wisconsin. He attended the Clear Lake Schools and graduated high school in 1972. He then attended WITC for Machine Packaging. On August 19, 1978 he was united in marriage to Ardis Smith and together they raised one son Jeremy. He farmed for many years, but also spent 13 years working at UFE in Dresser, Wisconsin. In his early days he was a member of the Jaycee's and also the Clear Lake Lion's Club. Phillip was a longtime member of Moe Lutheran Church in rural Clear Lake where he taught Sunday School and served as Janitor. Most recently he has been a member of First Lutheran Church in Arland. Phillip enjoyed the outdoors and all the activities it provided. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and kayaking to name a few. Once a farmer, always a farmer, he still enjoyed going to thrashing shows to see all that was going on. Phillip passed away at Region's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the age of 62 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dawn Johnson Oppegard and nieces Kerstin Oppegard and Ann Elizabeth Ohlin. Surviving family members include his wife Ardis son Jeremy and his wife Lynnlea, grandchildren: Madison, Erin, Tommy, Jazmine and Savannah, sisters: Doreen (Darwin) Ohlin and Delaine (Ed) Oliver; brother-in-law Milo (Betty Lou) Oppegard and dear friends Eric and Christy Kaster , Ardis' foster parents Malcolm and Darlene Schutz as well as other relatives and friends.


Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of Arland with Rev. Timothy Vettrus officiating. Visitation will be at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church.