William G. Johnston, III

William G. Johnston, III, was born in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1986 with a B.S. in Microbiology. Mr. Johnston received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1990. He was a founding member of the law firm of Johnston & Owen. William G. Johnston, III, passed away on May 1, 2018.

Mr. Johnston represented a substantial number of businesses, practice groups and financial institutions. His practice focused primarily on general business litigation, banking and corporate litigation, contract disputes, formation of new business entities, commercial transactions, wills and trusts and estate litigation. Mr. Johnston served as the Judge of the City of Griffin Municipal Court from 2011 until the time of his passing. He was also general counsel for the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, the Spalding County Board of Health, the Butts County Board of Tax Assessors and the Spalding County Airport Authority.

Mr. Johnston was survived by his wife, Dixie Brown Johnston; a son, William Samuel (Sam) Johnston; and a daughter, Emma McClain Johnston. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Griffin and was actively involved in various civic and community organizations including The Boy Scouts of America, Rotary International and the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce.

Bill was an aggressive and tenacious litigator who worked hard to be honest and fair to others throughout his legal career. He often represented clients pro bono when he felt it was the right thing to do, and he thrived whenever he was put into the position of being able to help the less fortunate. Bill, however, was much more than an attorney. He was larger than life. He had an uncanny wit and a fantastic sense of humor. He had an infectious laugh that brought a smile to all of us. He was a friend to so many and will never be forgotten.