William H. Johnstone

William Henry Johnstone, age 94, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died on June 28, 2026. Bill was
born on September 5, 1931, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, to parents William and Leona
Johnstone, and grew up in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Deephaven, and Mound, Minnesota. He
earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) in 1953. That fall he
matriculated at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, in the Master of
Divinity degree program and later transferred to Union Theological Seminary in New York City to
complete the Master of Divinity degree in 1956. In 1985 Bill earned a Doctor of Ministry degree
from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Bill’s career as a parish minister
spanned forty-one years, including three years as Assistant Pastor of Warren Avenue
Presbyterian Church in Saginaw, Michigan; eight years as Pastor of Summit Presbyterian
Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and twenty-eight years as Senior Pastor and then
Co-Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was named
Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1997.
It was at Union Seminary that Bill met his wife, Charlotte Patton. They married in June 1956,
raised five children, and were devoted partners for sixty-seven years.

Bill’s service to the church was extensive, not only as pastor to the congregations he served, but
on numerous committees and commissions of the Philadelphia Presbytery, Milwaukee
Presbytery, Synod of the Trinity, Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and national General Assembly.
His sense of call to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love was
steadfast and profound. He was an inquisitive and thoughtful scholar, accomplished preacher,
effective administrator, and lifelong advocate for social and political justice. Avocationally, Bill
was an avid woodworker and handyman, a longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteer and Chair of
the Board, a small-plane pilot, and an enthusiastic supporter of his hometown sports teams. He
welcomed friend and stranger alike without judgment, had a gift for befriending anyone, and was
endlessly interested in how other people saw the world.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Charlotte, and sister, Margaret Anderson. He is survived by
his son David (Candice) Johnstone, daughter Margaret (Mark) McDonough, daughter Catherine
(Peter) Latson, daughter Elizabeth (Randall) Bush, daughter Susan (Michael) Moderski; thirteen
grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and sisters Phyllis Taylor and Sylvia Cross.

Bill embraced life with fearless joy, profound gratitude, endearing humility, and unfailing good
humor. He adored Charlotte and their children, and was deeply loved by family, friends, and the
congregations he was privileged to serve.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 at Immanuel
Presbyterian Church, 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be made in the form of donations to Habitat for
Humanity and Immanuel Presbyterian Church.