Oral 'Wayne' Johnson

Oral ‘Wayne’ Johnson, 70, of Rockford, passed away Monday, September 21st, 2020 at OSF Saint Anthony.

He was born March 11, 1950, in Rockford, IL, the son of Oral and Ellie Fair (Law) Johnson. Wayne attended Rock Valley College for Machine design after Guilford High School. He married Vivian Briscoe in Rockford on April 6, 1968. Wayne loved his family more than anything. He worked as a machinist and Engineer at Twin Disc and Mattison Technologies for a total of 25 years. Wayne worked as Operations Manager at Rockford Service & Support and Engineering Manager at Chandler Tool in Rockford. He was a Consultant Design Engineer with the Newell Rubbermaid Corp when in 2008 was forced to retire after suffering a heart attack. Wayne loved working with kids and was active in his Community Homeowners Association, Athletic board member and coach for softball at Ken-Rock Community Center as well as football coach at Flynn Middle School for several years. He was also President of the Fans Association and Class Advisor for 4 years at Jefferson High School. Wayne was an avid Bears fan and sports fan and loved playing when young and watching when older all sports especially football and bowling and loved working on old cars. The family would like to express their gratitude for the many prayers and well wishes from all the family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian (Briscoe) Johnson; son, Jared Johnson and daughter, Jennifer O’leary; grandchildren, Ashton, Aubrey and Noah; sisters, Bonita (Rick) Ritter, Linda (Jim) Coney and Orlena Barbour; very special brother-in-law, Michael (Rebecca) Briscoe, and brothers and sisters-in-law Clara Johnson, Glenn, Darrell, Danny Briscoe, Wanda Westfall, Doris Sovine, Carolyn Ross, Ruth Hinchey and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends. Wayne is pre-deceased by his parents, Oral (Ellie) Fair Johnson and brother, Marvin Johnson.

A walk-through memorial visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25th, 2020, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, with Pastor Albert Bugbee officiating. Those attending are required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines to allow 50 people at a time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the family to help cover expenses.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com