Billy Gene Johnston Sr., age 83 of Salem, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Odin Care Center. Billy was born on June 29, 1937 in Kinmundy, the son of Jim and Dora (Butts) Johnston. He married Helen Marie Bray on October 23, 1953 in Mt. Vernon and she preceded him in death on September 14, 2019. He is survived by daughters, Tammy Vandeveer and husband Mike of Alma, Sandy Blank and husband Don of Salem, Pam Craig and husband Richard of Glen Carbon; sons, Billy Johnston and wife Renee of Alma, Jim Johnston and wife Susan of Joilet, and Mike Johnston of Salem; grandchildren, Ian King and wife Brooke, Abigail King, Jamie Johnston, Devonte Hill, Zoe Johnston, Cole Johnston, Kelly Kohrt and husband Pete, Kristin Merriman and husband Jason, Kim Pokrajac and husband Ron, Heather Craig and Ashley Craig, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. Billy was a member of the Church of God and worked for the Teamsters Local 50. Graveside services for Billy Gene Johnston Sr. will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 5:00 pm at Elder Cemetery in Kinmundy with Larry Woodward officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:30 pm until 4:30 pm at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Social distancing will be enforced and crowd size will be limited to 50 people at a time inside the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Elder Cemetery and can be received at the funeral home.