William H. "Bill" Johnson, 81, of Rockford, formerly of Belvidere and DeKalb, died Thursday evening at his residence following a six month illness. Bill was born on a farm near Kalona, IA, November 28, 1926, the son of Robert Martin and Leola Means Johnson. He married Nancy Caudill July 2, 1949, in Garwin, IA; she preceded him in death March 13, 2007. Bill was a retired academic librarian, having served several universities during his career.Survivors include one son, Robert (Sandy) Johnson, Freeport; four daughters, Jacquelyn (Robert Wenzel) Berkes, Oak Park; Michele (Clifford Killion) Johnson, Forest Park; Terry Ann (Jeffrey) Myers, Lebanon, MO; and Sheralee (Michael) Gardner, Vancouver, WA; brother Ronald M. Johnson, Dubuque, IA; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be determined at a later date.