Johnson, Warren AlecWarren Alec Johnson, 90, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, December 31, 2016. He was born on January 29, 1926 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1944, where he was named an All-Conference center in football and lettered in both football and basketball.Warren served his country by joining the Navy in June 1944, making two Atlantic crossings during World War II. His first ship was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Russia during a Murmansk run. Rescued at sea, he served on other ships until the war ended. He was honorably discharged in May 1946. On August 24, 1946, he married Dorothy Rose Mason, his high school sweetheart.Under the GI Bill, Warren graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Industrial Arts. He had a notable career as an engineer in the paper industry. For 38 years he was employed by the Wausau Paper Corporation, Brokaw, and retired as its Chief Engineer in 1989. During his career, he was instrumental in expanding Wausau Paper's production capacity and bringing its mills into compliance with environmental laws. He was an active member of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI).Blessed with four sons, Warren and Dorothy dedicated their lives to family during their 61 years of marriage. The family enjoyed a lifelong love of the Northwoods at their cottages in Rhinelander and Eagle River. An avid golfer, bowler and swimmer, he loved doing these sports with Dorothy, his sons and extended family. He played golf weekly with a foursome of family and friends for 45 years in Wausau. Warren loved fishing and hunting, attending Packer games, spending time with family, friends and fellow Elk members.Warren generously volunteered his time to the community through the Elks, the First Universalist Unitarian Church and Meals on Wheels. As a lifelong member of the Wausau Elks Lodge #248 he served as the Exalted Ruler in 1968-69 and helped plan and participate in Elk volunteer activities, blood donor drives and state Elk conventions. For more than four decades he and Dorothy were active members of the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau. Warren will be forever remembered for his devotion to family and country, his strength and integrity, his keen mind and work ethic, and his joy in being with family and friends.Warren is survived by four sons, David (Linda) Johnson, Portage, MI and their children Matt (Jen) and Lisa Degen (Don); Mark (Kathryn Tillisch), South Riding, VA; Kelly (Kathy), Mahtomedi, MN and their children Mason and Ellys; Andrew (Irena), Peachtree Corners, GA and their children Mikulas, Klementyna, Josefina and Teodor; as well as his great granddaughter, Ellie Degen; brother in-law, Ken Mason, sister in-law, Ruth Mason, and 20 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Evelyn Hammond and Alec Johnson; step-father, Don Hammond; and step-sister, Rose Jensen.A celebration of Warren's life will be held at the Cerenity Care Center, 1891 Florence Street, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110 at Noon Saturday, March 11, 2017. Family will greet guests from 11 am to Noon and a lunch reception will be held immediately following the service. On Monday, March 13, 2017, a military burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Warren's name to: the Cerenity Care Center in White Bear Lake, MN ( https://secure.bhshealth.org/giving/0086) or ( www.michaeljfox.org).Special thanks to the staff at Cerenity Care Center and Health Partners Hospice for their tender care of Warren during his time at Cerenity.