Bill Johnston passes away

Bill Johnston, 1949-2017

Today we share the sad news that Bill Johnston, a long time BFCSD and BFCA member, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017 of heart failure. He was 67.

Bill and his longtime companion Sandy Phillips have been members of the Bichon Frise Club of San Diego since 1997. During this time Bill was a constant contributor to the club’s meeting and events.

Many will remember Bill wearing his green apron selling raffle tickets or catalogs at our Specialty shows. He was always there to help with whatever was needed. But perhaps the most enduring and loving memory of Bill is looking across the showgrounds and seeing Sandy and Bill coming in the distance, Bill towering above her with a chair in each hand and Sandy frequently with a Bichon in tow. Bill always made sure that Sandy was comfortably ensconced ring side before he was off to greet old friends and make new ones.

Bill seemed to be so at home at the shows, always with a smile on his face. And when a new piece of “show gossip” or other show tidbit was shared who will forget his frequent response, “Oh really!”

Many of us will remember Bill only as a “dog person”, but he had other interests, especially race cars and golf. And many of us are just learning he was an avid surfer in his youth. It doesn’t take much imagination to see Bill “hanging ten” with as much enthusiasm as he embraced with his other interests.

Things will not be the same without Bill. He will be missed by all.