Mr. William R. Johnson

LTJG William Robert Johnson, Jr. 1931-1973; brother to John Arthur Johnson and Thomas Richard Johnson

Bill, a Project Engineer at PRATT & WHITHEY, was instrumental in the success of the BOEING 747 as Production and Performance Department head of the JT9D engines that powered the plane. The 747 was of great importance to Boeing and P&W as it's failure could have led to the demise of both companies. Bill devised a Gas turbine Engine Performance Calculator which is used in all jet engines powered by P&W to this day. He was deeply involved in the P&W, JT3D for the DC-8 and JT8D, USED IN THE DC-9 AND 727, respectively. In the Korean War he was a Chief Engineer in the Navy. He graduated from the New York Maritime Academy, Columbia Graduate School of Engineering and was a member of the Society of Naval and Marine Engineers. He is survived by five (5) children and three (3) grandchildren.