Marmion Academy service award goes to St. Charles man
Marmion Academy presented Bill Johnson of St. Charles with the Fr. Alcuin Deck Distinguished Service Award during an all-school PRIDE Assembly April 21. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding contribution and faithful service to Marmion Academy and in gratitude for exemplifying a spirit of charity and dedication as a member of the Marmion faculty and staff.
Johnson is a 1964 Marmion graduate. He began working at Marmion in 1999, serving as a director of Campus Ministry and a senior theology teacher. Johnson currently serves as Marmion's director of Parish Outreach.
Johnson is a true example of someone who lives out his faith on a daily basis in all that he does. Throughout his time at Marmion, he has inspired countless students through his passion of faith and service. He has been the driving force behind Marmion's partnership with Special Olympics - Marmion students work with Special Olympic athletes at several events throughout the school year, bi-weekly visits to The Grove nursing home - students interact and play bingo with the nursing home residents, the Crayons for Kids school supply drive - started 12 years ago and has grown to support over 75 schools with collections of over 35,000 supplies, and many other service and faith-based opportunities.
Johnson now continues his work of evangelization through Marmion's Parish Outreach program. This program provides teams of Marmion students to present retreats to local Catholic schools and parishes. The work Johnson does through the Parish Outreach Program strengthens relationships between Marmion and area Catholic churches and grade schools.
Johnson has been recognized with several awards including Northeastern Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year, Western Illinois University Teacher of the Year, and awards of excellence for his work with teens from the Joliet and Rockford dioceses. Johnson was ordained a deacon in 1998 in the Rockford Diocese. He and his wife, Carol, have been married for over 40 years and have two children and four grandchildren.