Floyd W. Johnson, 82, of Libby

Floyd W. (Bill) Johnson passed away Sept. 28, 2012. He was 82. 

He was also known to others in Libby as Santa and Gus the bus driver. 

He was born Feb. 22, 1930, in Yuba City, Calif. 

In 1946 he began his career as a carpenter. He was a carpenter apprentice from 1946 to 1948 when he became a journeyman carpenter.  He was very skilled in his craft and always wanted whatever he created to last. He never cut corners. He did some woodwork at the LDS church in Libby. 

He entered the U.S. Army in April 1951 and served in combat in the Korean War. He received an honorable  discharge in January of 1953 as a sergeant-first class.

On Aug. 19, 1952, he married his sweetheart Betty Lee Ikerd in Modesto, Calif. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary. She was the love of his life. They had three children, Matthew W., Jerrile, and Peggy. 

He lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as a carpenter and they raised their family there. 

In 1979 he retired as a carpenter and moved to Libby. He loved the area and enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful mountain surroundings. He drove school bus for several years and the students nicknamed him Gus.

Since he grew his beard there have been several children all over the Northwest who truly believed they had seen Santa when they saw him.  He was known for his listening ear, his wise council and his kindness. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty, his children; Matthew and his wife, Debbie, Jerrile, and Peggy. He has 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his immediate family and his son-in-law, Daniel Zachreson.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Libby.  

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Relief Society Room of the church.  

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.