FCS

Long-time Tennessee Tech supporter Bill Johnson passes away at 84

SPARTA, Tenn. – To Bill Johnson, he bled Purple and Gold as much as he bled Orange and White. While he never suited up for the Tennessee Tech football team, he had been one of the Golden Eagles’ biggest supporters.

As he passed away on Sunday at the age of 84, Johnson leaves behind a tremendous legacy with Tech, from the Robert Hill Johnson Award and the endowment named after his brother, to three grandchildren –Thomas, Robert Hill and John Bronson – all suiting up for the Golden Eagles and much, much more.

“To express what Bill Johnson and his family has meant to Tennessee Tech football and the entire athletics family could fill volumes,” said Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. “For nearly 70 years – almost three-fourths of the program’s entire history – his support of our football team has known no bounds.

“His brother was – and continues to be – a tremendous inspiration to our student-athletes who don our colors. Bill continued those efforts and created opportunities for future student-athletes to join our program to follow in those footsteps.”

Wilson continued, “What Johnson has done for our program over these many years is amazing. He’s been a major friend to Tennessee Tech and will be missed greatly.”