William A. “Reds” Johnston

Johnston, William A. “Reds” (April 28, 2023). Beloved husband of Sarah (nee McClelland). Reds was born on January 18, 1928 to Matthew and Martha Johnston (nee Dickson) in Chestnut Hill.  His parents immigrated from Ireland and Reds was proud of being a first generation American.  He was the youngest of three brothers.  As a boy, he earned money singing in the St Martins in the Field boys choir.  While in High School he worked for a local contractor doing landscaping in the summer and tending coal furnaces in the winter.  He served in the Navy earning the WWII Victory Medal.  After discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in an electrical trade school and then worked for Philadelphia Gas and Electric as a service technician.  While working for PG&E he went to Temple University on the GI Bill, earning an Associate’s Degree in HVAC Engineering.  After Temple he was recruited as a sales engineer designing heating and air conditioning systems for commercial buildings in the Philadelphia area.  Reds was a lifelong member of the Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church and was part of the Men’s Lunch Group, various Bible Studies, and served the congregation as a Trustee and Sunday School Teacher.  He used his building skills to build a stage for the Sunday School.  After retirement he again used his building skills as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.  He was a loving father to William (Leslie) Johnston Jr., Sandra (John) Gibson, Martha (John) Roedig, and James (Jennifer) Johnston. He will also be missed by his 11 grandchildren (Jessica, Meredith, and Abigail Johnston; John, Joshua, and Bryn Gibson; Nicole and Kellie Roedig; and Daniel, Kevin, and Margaret Johnston) and 4 great grandchildren (Carter, Ava, and Kennedy Taticchi; and Parker Gibson).  He is also survived by his nephew Robert Johnston.  Relatives and friends are invited to Reds’ Memorial Service Friday, May 12, 11am at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers contributions in Reds’ name may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., Phila, PA 19118