Bill Johnson

A Philanthropic Family Tradition

“I grew up with an idea of philanthropy, especially from my mother,” says Bill Johnson, a resident of Kyle and head of the Burdine Johnson Foundation. “She was very passionate about wanting to help others and to give back to the community.”

Bill Johnson

The Burdine Johnson Foundation, established in the 1960’s, was named for Johnson’s mother. Burdine Johnson along with Johnson’s father, Jack, had a particular interest in arts and education projects, among many others. Some of the projects they provided funding for included: the Kyle library, St. Stephens’ School of Wimberley, the Kodaly music program offered throughout schools in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District and a concert hall built as a venue for the Round Top Music Festival.

Today, their incredible philanthropic legacy continues through Bill and his two older sisters, Lucy and Burdine, who both head their own foundations in Seattle and Houston respectively.

Bill Johnson grew up in Houston but loved to visit the family ranch near Kyle as often as possible. In fact, as soon as he got his driver’s license, he would drive up on weekends, recalling that the ranch always felt like his “refuge.” In 1970, Bill headed to Austin to attend the University of Texas. Within a year, he decided to move out to the ranch.

“It was the best of both worlds. Being on the ranch gave me that feeling of being in the country but kept me close enough to finish school at UT.”

Bill got involved with his mother’s foundation in the early 80’s at her request, but it wasn’t difficult to convince him. He was already familiar with foundation work having served on the board of his Aunt Susan’s foundation in Houston. Plus, Bill shared his parents’ interest in arts and education-related projects.

Lately, he’s focused his attention specifically on the Hays County area, supporting a number of environmental, historic and health projects, including Seton Medical Center Hays.

“I’ve always believed that if you are able to, supporting things in your own back yard is especially rewarding,” says Johnson. “When Seton Medical Center Hays came along, it just seemed a natural fit.”

Through the Burdine Johnson Foundation, Bill’s generous pledge of $500,000 helps fund the capital campaign for the newest member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, Seton Medical Center Hays. In recognition of his gift, the facility’s healing garden will be named after the Johnson family.

“I find spirituality in nature,” says Johnson. “I remember when my sister fell ill a number of years ago. She was hospitalized in Houston and I would travel there to visit. There was this really small interior courtyard where she would often go outside for a break. It wasn’t much, but it was a chance to be outside. A Healing Garden is such a worthwhile concept. Everything about it is very helpful for patients as well as family members.”

“We are so incredibly grateful for this support,” explains Gerald Hill, Executive Director, Seton Hays Foundation. “Through Mr. Johnson’s generosity, our patients, family members, visitors and staff will equate the comfort and serenity of the healing garden with the Burdine Johnson Foundation name. It seems especially appropriate to name the garden after an organization long synonymous with helping others.”

Bill is married with two daughters. Katherine just recently graduated with a degree in Psychology from St. Edwards University in Austin. Lucy, a graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, won election to the Kyle City Council in 2008. Bill’s wife, Kate, shares her husband’s love of nature and in fact, that is one of the things that brought them together – well, that and golf.

Bill met Kate through his Aunt Susan who told him, “she has the most beautiful golf swing.” At the time, Kate was an avid golfer but also quickly became intrigued by the ranch. The couple married in 1981.

Since then, as Bill describes, “Kate has become completely engrossed with Hays County.”

Kate Johnson currently serves as Chair of the Hays County Historic Commission as well as on the Board of the Seton Hays Foundation.

Together, they have become involved with a number of preservation projects, including funding extensive renovations and providing landscape architecture for the Katherine Anne Porter House in Kyle, restoration of the Winters-Wimberley House in Wimberley and supporting the Pound House in Dripping Springs. Helping to restore the Hays County Jail is the next major project on the list.

In addition to heading the Burdine Johnson Foundation, Bill also serves on the Board of the James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts, the organization that supports the Round Top Music Institute and Festival.

In his spare time, Bill continues to be a big supporter of UT and enjoys his time on the ranch -- hiking, kayaking and other outdoor activities. In particular, he enjoys being by flowing water which had been a bit hard to come by until the wetter winter we’ve experienced. Bill also enjoys travelling, primarily throughout the United States, although he has been to China, all over Europe and to Central America. However, his favorite place continues to be the family ranch and Hays County. That is one of the reasons Bill has also turned his attention to nature-related endeavors, like supporting the Nature Conservancy’s Blanco River Project.

“A lot of what makes Hays County appealing is the open space,” explains Johnson. “It’s definitely a great place to live. I just want to do what I can to keep it that way.”


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