Dr. William (Bill) Webb Johnston, 90, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024 under the care of Duke Hospice at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Johnston was born in Statesville, North Carolina, in 1933 to J. Clyde Johnston and Pauline Massey Johnson. Bill lost his lifelong partner of more than 62 years, Charles Raymond (Chuck) West, just 18 days before his own death. Both gentlemen had been ill for several months, and until the last two days of Bill’s life, they had remained at their home under the care of Home Watch Health Caregivers, and recently Duke Home Hospice.
Bill received his BS degree from Davidson College and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University in 1959. He completed his residency at Duke Hospital in the Department of Pathology and was then appointed to a position within the department. While at Duke, Bill travelled to Johns Hopkins University, where he was introduced to the field of Cytopathology. Cytology is the examination of a single cell type and is mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer. Upon returning to Duke, Bill started the Division of Cytology within the Department of Pathology. He was promoted to Professor of Pathology in 1972 and served as chief of Cytopathology for 25 years, until his retirement in 1996.
During his career in the Department of Pathology, Bill undertook research in the study of pulmonary cytology, infectious diseases, and immunocytochemistry. He co-authored five books and numerous papers on Cytopathology and was recognized by his peers outside Duke when he was elected President of the American Society of Cytopathology (1981-1982). He received numerous awards including the Distinguished Service Award of the Commission of Continuing Education of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Bill and Chuck loved international travel, antiques, classical music, and a host of good friends. Their country flower garden and lovely trees were the envy of many who came to visit them in rural Hillsborough. Bill was an accomplished organist and loved classical sacred music. One of his avocations was serving as organist for many churches in the Triangle area.
Together their Duke service lasted more than 50 years, Bill in medicine, and Chuck as Director of Corporate Payroll Services for the Duke system. Their legacy will live on through their ongoing estate gifts to Duke. Together they have established The Johnston West Professorship in the Department of Pathology and several fellowships for students in the field.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 22, at 2 in the afternoon at Union Memorial Gardens in Union, South Carolina, conducted by Bill and Chuck’s close friend, The Reverend Doctor Gene Jester. Bill will be buried next to Chuck who was buried recently next to his parents. Both gentlemen have been especially grateful for the tender care given to them by their special neighbors and friends, Ed and Cat Causey, Chuck’s brother Jack and his wife, Diana “Dee” Calabrese; Bill’s longtime trainer, Brian Kennedy, special friends Tracie Legg, David Jester, and Shelby Hall at Baird Private Wealth Management, and Rhodes Craver and his associates at Kennon Craver Law Firm. Bill and Chuck were very thankful for the caregivers from Home Watch directed by Mandy Summerson, who enabled them to spend this last chapter of their earthly lives together at home, and also for the caring folks of Duke Hospice who provided them palliative care in their last weeks of life.
Funeral arrangements are being provided by Clements Funeral Home of Durham, North Carolina, and S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home of Union, South Carolina