Paul W. Johnston Sr. died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at River Region Medical Center. He was 74.

A native of Benton, Mr. Johnston had lived in Vicksburg for the past 49 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He retired after 31 years from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was a member of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Henry Alexander Johnston and Tennie Sims Johnston; two sisters, Lena Hood and Lois Reeves; and a brother, Henry Johnston.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia B. Johnston of Vicksburg; two sons, Wayne Johnston of Vicksburg and Eddie Johnston and wife Pam of Chicago; one daughter, Karen Eckerson and husband Stacey of Brandon; two brothers, James Johnston and Allen F. Johnston, both of Yazoo City; two sisters, Kathryn Pierce and Mary Ann Burns, both of Benton; four grandchildren, Terry Johnston, Madison Johnston, Hailey Eckerson and Emily Eckerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Glenwood Funeral Home with Dr. Matt Buckles officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Billy Hood, Richard Johnston, Henry Reeves, Harold Boteler, Arthur Lagg and Hillary Westbrook.