William Johann

William L. Johann of Port Washington was a bright young man with an infectious laugh that his family said was sure to brighten anyone’s day, as well as a wry sense of humor and a keen wit.

“He was always smiling,” his mother Kira said. “As a kid, he was always pulling practical jokes.

“He was super smart and full of life and happiness.”

He was also always up for a challenge, his mother said. He was a thrill-seeker who went parasailing and white-water rafting.

“He was fearless. I’m a chicken. I would never have done any of these things but for him,” his mother said.

Mr. Johann died Thursday, April 11, in the Town of Port Washington. He was 19.

“He had a lot of struggles these past few years,” his mother said. 

Mr. Johann was born in Milwaukee on Dec. 2, 1999, the son of James and Kira del Giudice Johann.

He was an “awesome” young man, his mother said.

At Port Catholic School, he was “the computer expert,” his mother said. “He knew coding and programming.”

A 2018 graduate of Port Washington High School, he was an honor student who was active in student life.

He played oboe in the summer marching band and concert band, was a member of the freshman golf team, math team, Spanish club, ski club and a community volunteer with the Port Pride program.

“He was so bright,” his mother said. “He had so much potential.”

Mr. Johann loved animals, especially his family’s miniature dachshund Sebastian, who he adored, his mother said.

Mr. Johann had wide-ranging interests. He enjoyed downhill skiing with his father and cooking and baking with his mother, bicycling, reading science fiction novels and Agatha Christie mysteries as well as “Calvin & Hobbes” comic books and listening to National Public Radio’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.”

He also enjoyed online gaming with his friends.

Mr. Johann loved the outdoors and enjoyed traveling. He visited many parts of the United States with friends and family during spring and summer vacations and camping in more than a dozen national and state parks.

Mr. Johann is survived by his parents, Jim and Kira Johann of Port Washington; brother Dylan of Port Washington; and grandparents Albert “Jack” Johann of Thiensville and Eileen del Giudice of Bradenton, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Margaret Johann and his grandfather Joseph del Giudice.

A memorial service for Mr. Johann will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington. The Rev. Kelly Nieman-Anderson will officiate.

Visitation will be at the church from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Memorials to Tailwaggers 911 in Grafton are suggested.

Funeral arrangements are being handled through Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington.