{"id":7873,"date":"2023-03-30T13:52:25","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T13:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=7873"},"modified":"2023-03-30T13:52:25","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T13:52:25","slug":"billie-johnson-honored-by-commissioners-city-leaders-friends-and-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/30\/billie-johnson-honored-by-commissioners-city-leaders-friends-and-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Billie Johnson Honored By Commissioners, City Leaders, Friends and Family"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Billie Johnson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Fletcher Word<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Editor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For more than four decades Billie Johnson has overseen the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio, constantly increasing services for senior citizens, expanding the breadth of coverage to 10 counties and many thousands of seniors, growing the agency from the staff of four when she started to over 180 today.<\/p>\n

On Monday, March 27, the Lucas County Commissioners recognized Billie Johnson for her service, for the love she has shown for the area\u2019s seniors, by honoring her in a surprise ceremony and adding her plaque to the County\u2019s Wall of Friends \u2013 only the 19th<\/sup> person to be so honored.<\/p>\n

Over 60 people \u2013 friends, family, elected officials, agency heads \u2013 crowded the Lucas County Commissions\u2019 chambers to be part of the event, to show their respect for a community icon.<\/p>\n

A number of speakers spoke of the love that Johnson has shown for so many in the community \u2013 particularly senior members of the community. During Monday\u2019s ceremony, Johnson received a repayment of that love, an outpouring of affection from so many who have known her over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cLove, honesty, integrity,\u201d said Doni Miller, CEO of the Neighborhood Health Association, in describing the qualities she has admired in her friend\u2019s character for 30 years. \u201cYour commitment to seniors is boundless \u2026 you carry every one of us on your shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for the lives you have touched,\u201d said Bill Harris, chairman of the Area Office on Aging board and someone who has known Johnson for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n

Johnson\u2019s daughter, Rhonda Sewell, also spoke of her mother\u2019s background and her commitment to family and the community. \u201cShe loves with her entire heart,\u201d said Sewell. \u201cWe look upon you and we are renewed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of the many highlights of the morning ceremony, a sketch by Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, doing an impression of Johnson answering multiple phone calls and solving numerous problems for the community, was the comedic highlight of the event. \u201cA day in the life of Ms. Billie Johnson,\u201d Skeldon Wozniak titled the piece.<\/p>\n

The Area Office on Aging is viewed as one of the premier such agencies in the United States and has receive 11 national achievement and innovation awards. Johnson has been responsible for the development of three wholly-owned subsidiary corporations which offer apartment living for low-income senior citizens in North Baltimore, Defiance and Napoleon, Ohio. She also organized the agency\u2019s Foundation Board and developed a 46-acre campus which includes a full continuum of care for seniors.<\/p>\n