Will grew up on his parents' farm on Brush Fork Road, Mercer County, WV, near Falls Mills, Virginia. He and Matilda were married by her father Rev. James Calfee on September 29, 1877. Will farmed until they moved to 407 Scott St., Bluefield, WV, near the railroad tracks, depot, and police station, where he was listed as a drayman in 1897. They sold several properties they had inherited and purchased a three-story building in Princeton, at 517 Mercer Street. Will had a butcher shop on the ground floor and they rented out rooms above for additional income. Will and Mitilda and their family lived on the top floor.

Obituary, "Bluefield Daily Telegraph," March 24, 1927:

"WILLIAM M. JOHNSON
The funeral services for the late William M. Johnson, of this place, were held Wednesday at 2:30 o'clock at the First Christian Church, of which he was a member. The services were conducted by the Rev. Perry J. Cook, pastor of the church.
Mr. Johnson was a well known and highly respected citizen of this community having spent all his life near Tazewell and at Princeton, except for a time he served on the police force at Bluefield, many years ago. The deceased was 75 years of age and is survived by his wife and nine children as follows: Erret A. of Sanish, ND, Milton J. of Portsmouth, VA, John W. of Chester, PA, Stanley and Sloan [Sallom], both of this place; and the following daughters: Mrs. R.L. Walters and Mrs. J.D. Hambrick, both of Princeton, Mrs. C. M. Compton of Rhodell, and Miss Era [Erie] Johnson of this city. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren."

Will was friendly and of good temperment, and dressed in a felt fedora, and a shirt and tie most of the time.

William "Will" was the son of John W. Johnson and Margaret Daniel Nash. He married Matilda Elizabeth Calfee. In addition to the children listed they had a son named Benjamin H. who died at the age of eighteen months.