William F. Johnston papers, 1924-1987

William F. "B.J." Johnston was a former editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune, a journalism educator, and a civic activist. Johnston was born in 1917 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He graduated from Orofino High School in 1935 where he was class valedictorian, editor of the yearbook and school paper, and student body president. Johnston went on to attend the University of Idaho obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and political science in 1941. While a student at the university he married Majella Tyra, September 19, 1940, with whom he had four children: Walter, Stephen, Allen, and Melissa. He joined the Lewiston Morning Tribune in 1949 as managing editor where he remained until he left in 1965. He then became the first publisher of student publications at the University of Washington and then became association professor of journalism there and retired in 1986. Johnston was a visiting lecturer at the University of Washington, University of Idaho, DePauw University, Washington State University, and Idaho State University. Johnston was a huge contributor of the establishment of the Nez Perce National Historical Park, in addition to this Johnston had an honorary Doctorate degree of Literature at the University of Idaho in 1966. Johnston died at the age of 73 on 8 July 1990 in Seattle, Washington.