William A. Johnson

William Alfred Johnson (February 3, 1922 – June 8, 1977) was an American machinist, union leader, and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served seven years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1965 to 1972, and served the last five years of his life as a member of the Wisconsin Industry, Labor and Human Relations Commission. Prior to serving in public office, he was president of United Auto Workers Local 248 in Milwaukee.

Biography William A. Johnson was born February 3, 1922, in Michigamme, Michigan. As a child, he moved with his parents to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was raised and educated. He graduated from Milwaukee's Riverside University High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy after the outbreak of World War II and rose to the rank of petty officer first class as a weapons technician.

After the war, he returned to Milwaukee and was employed as a machinist at the Allis-Chalmers plant. Through his work, he became a member of the United Auto Workers labor union and rose to become president of UAW Local 248 from 1959 to 1961. As president, he pursued disciplinary fines against several workers who had crossed a picket line during a 1959 strike. He became vice president of the Milwaukee County Labor Council and sat on the state advisory committee on workmen's compensation. He went on to win 71% of the vote in a low-turnout victory in the May 1965 special election over perennial Republican candidate, attorney Leon J. Dealy.

Johnson won re-election three times, and became chairman of the Assembly labor committee in the 1971 session. He resigned in the spring of 1972 to accept appointment from Governor Patrick Lucey to the state Industry, Labor and Human Relations Commission. He was reappointed by Lucey in 1975, and ultimately served on the commission until his death.

He died at his home in Stoughton, Wisconsin, of a heart attack, on June 8, 1977.

Personal life and family William Johnson married Loraine Opalewski in 1942. They had five children together.

Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (1965, 1966, 1968, 1970)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 1965 Primary Democratic 1,419 43.66% Dem. 902 27.75% 3,250 517 Dem. 391 12.03% Dem. 346 10.65% Dem. 192 5.91% Special Democratic 1,500 71.50% Rep. 598 28.50% 2,098 902 1966 General Democratic 4,381 76.50% Rep. 1,346 23.50% 5,727 3,035 1968 General Democratic 6,222 79.81% Rep. 1,574 20.19% 7,796 4,648 1970 General Democratic 3,802 81.80% Rep. 846 18.20% 4,648 2,956