Willard Douglas Johnson, of Billings, Montana, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026 at the age of 99 surrounded by family. Born in Malta, Montana on January 3rd, 1927 he was the son of Harold H. and Ethel R. Johnson. He was the youngest of four children, Edith (Carlson), Don and Harold Jr., all deceased.

In 1951, he had the good fortune of marrying LaWanda Yates (deceased 2013) and together raised four children. He is survived by Karen Johnson (Roberts, MT), Don Johnson (Fort Collins, CO) Gordon (and Linda) Johnson (Bozeman, MT) and Viki Johnson Mann (Denver, CO). As the family grew and expanded, he had seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Willard attended schools in Malta, Great Falls and graduated from Billings Senior High. He served in the Army Air Corp for two years in Europe as a flight engineer. In 1951, he obtained a B.S. in Architecture from Montana State University, Bozeman. During the Korean conflict (USAF), he was recalled to the USAF and served as an Air Installations Officer at Bedford, MA.

Once the Korean conflict was over, he returned to Billings to pursue his profession in architecture. In 1967, Willard and Orval Graham formed Johnson, Graham, and Associates (JGA).

Willard had a heart for community service and was instrumental in the local and state organizations including the Montana State Planning Board, Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of West Billings Lions Club, President of the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce, elder of the First Presbyterian Church, member Masonic Lodge #39, Scottish Rite, Al Bedoo Shrine G.I. Drill Squad, and was a founding member on the Board of Directors for ZooMontana. He was passionate about ZooMontana and participated in the master plan, design of the Administrative Building, Tiger Exhibit and involved in construction coordination.

With architecture as his career passion, he and his team designed many buildings around Montana and Wyoming. Projects include The Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, numerous schools, religious facilities, health facilities and clinics, government projects and parking garages to list a few. One of his milestone projects included the Billings Metra. One of his “pride and joy projects”.

Beyond work, Willard and LaWanda enjoyed fishing, family camping, RV trips, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, and golfing.

The family wishes to express our gratitude to the many organizations that helped Willard over the last several years. These organizations include MorningStar Senior Living of Billings, Home-based Primary Care of the VA, the caregivers from Synergy Home Care, Stillwater Hospice and the First Presbyterian Church.

In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the ZooMontana or Billings Al Bedoo Shriners. A Celebration of Life will be held at MorningStar Senior Living, 4001 Bell Avenue, Billings on May 6th at 10:00am.