William Joseph Johnston

Born on March 12, 1926, in Alhambra, California, William was one of three boys (Ralph, William, and Dick) born to Ogden and Genevieve Johnston. He was raised on La Paloma Street in Alhambra.

William attended Alhambra High School where he was drum major for the Marching Band and graduated in 1944. Along with his brother Ralph, William enlisted in the service after high school selecting the Army Air Corps. After his service, William took advantage of the GI Bill and attended USC. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Anthropology in 1949. He remarked that he had played in the Rose Bowl three times twinkling, “I played clarinet in the Marching Band.” A Master’s Degree in Education from USC followed in 1951. He continued in the military from 1951 – 1958 in the Air Force Reserve as a First Lieutenant. In 1965, he received his Doctorate in Education from UCLA.

Oma and William were married on January 21, 1950. They were one of the first residents on their street in the Hollywood Riviera section of Redondo Beach. Hollywood Riviera was, at that time, nothing more than dirt roads and vacant lots. They witnessed first-hand the incredible transformation of their community. Oma and Bill were a remarkable team for 64 years, dedicated to each other throughout their lives. Sadly, Oma passed away in 2014 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. William was always by her side as she struggled with that disease.

William’s career was centered on public education. He started teaching Math at Gardena High School in 1950. His career arc took him from teacher to adult school principal and finally to Superintendent of Schools. William became Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District in 1971. The 1970’s in Los Angeles was a tumultuous time that involved an earthquake, a teachers’ strike, the incorporation of bilingual education, and a court order to desegregate. Under William’s steady leadership, the Los Angeles Unified School District persevered.

Oma and Bill traveled the world together, playing golf at St. Andrews, riding camels in Egypt, and visiting the Great Pyramid. She was his loving partner in every endeavor and was as gracious and comfortable with dignitaries as she was with students and teachers. In 1978, William led a contingent of educators to meet with the Shah of Iran to develop of gifted program for the Iranian students. The Revolution occurred shortly thereafter and the project ended.

He was a visionary in the field of education creating magnet schools to appeal to students based on their talents and interests, We see how this remarkable program has blossomed today enabling so many to achieve their dreams in the humanities, arts, sciences, engineering.

The Los Angeles All City Band began under his stewardship as well and brought together talented student musicians throughout the district. We are the beneficiaries of the gifts these amazing students share as we watch them proudly march each year in the Pasadena Rose Parade.

He was Superintendent for 10 years, and his community outreach was remarkable. He was on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Boys Scouts of America (17 years), YMCA of Los Angeles (20 years), Don Bosco Technical Institute, Special Olympics, and Orthopedic Hospital. He was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation and Chairman of the California State Lottery Commission.

After his thirty-seven year career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, William went on to serve as manager of Public Affairs at the Southern California Gas Company. He also became Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Blue Shield of California.

Our dear father has served his community well in countless ways. He definitely left the world better than he found it, and he gave the very best he had. He and his many friends were part of the Greatest Generation who returned from war and got to work building their families, our nation’s schools and the country. Their generosity of spirit knew no bounds whether it was providing instruction to newly arrived immigrants or creating occupational training for those needing a different pathway than a college degree. We are so blessed to have had them in our lives.

We treasure the handwritten notes sent over the years to family and friends, his sense of humor, warmth, and strength of character. He loved the city of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Trojan football. He was a true son of the city having lived his entire 92 years there.