Johnson and Lazarus inducted to Hall of Fame

By Cindy Jo Ayers

The Trenton City Commission announced the newest inductees to the Trenton Hall of Fame during the Sept. 14 meeting.
The late Johny Johnson and the late William “Bill” Lazarus were inducted into the Trenton Hall of Fame. Each year, the City of Trenton inducts citizens who have made substantial contributions to the City of Trenton into the Hall of Fame.
The families of Johnson and Lazarus were happy to be able to receive the awards on behalf of their family members.
These awards are given every year or so to citizens who made substantial contributions of tireless service to the City of Trenton.
Johny Johnson taught math at Trenton High School for many years and most will remember her as a teacher but actually “Miss” Johny was much more than that. Johny Clarice Hardee was born November 13, 1913 to Mary Susie Hardee and Samuel B. Hardee in the homestead that was located on the corner of SE First Avenue and SE Second Street in Trenton.

The family of Johny Johnson is shown left to right James Baker, Kim Baker holding her daughter, Ella Baker, City Commissioner Tim Kinsey, Roger Pittman, City Commissioner Arlene Wilks, Mrs. Hal Lewis, Jr., Hal Lewis, Jr., Trenton Mayor Glen Thigpen, City Commissioner Randy Rutter and City Commissioner Marcia Hellams.

The original family house was built in 1911. In 1957, Mr. Hardee died and in the early to mid 60s Ms. Johnson sold the old house and it was moved to property between Trenton and Chiefland. A new brick home was built on the same lot.
Miss Johny graduated from Trenton High School on April 28, 1931 and graduated from Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee (now known as Florida State University) on May 27, 1935 with an AB (Associate Bachelor’s) degree in Education. About one month later she received her teaching certificate from the same institution.
Miss Johny married A.J. Johnson in the mid 1940s. Mr. Johnson died about 3 to 4 years later, and Miss Johny never had children or remarried.
Her first teaching job was in Inglis, Florida, where she taught for approximately 4-5 years. She also taught in Lake City and Jacksonville. She moved back to Trenton in 1953 to live with and care for her father after her mother’s death. Miss Johny taught at Trenton High School from 1953 until she retired in 1973. Her teaching career spanned 38 years.
She continued her education while teaching and earned her Master’s Degree with special emphasis in Mathematics from the University of Florida on January 31, 1953.
She also spent time tutoring local students who went on to college. She tutored in algebra, trigonometry and calculus which was not taught in high school at the time. She did this service at no charge to the local young people.
She served as a director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank for many years. This was the first bank established in Trenton in the early 1900s. It was later acquired by Capital City Bank.
Miss Johny won several City of Trenton awards for keeping an attractive lawn. She was a lifelong member of the Trenton United Methodist Church. She was also an active member of the Trenton Woman’s Club for 50 years.
Miss Johny passed away on December 24, 2007 at the age of 94 years in the red brick house on the same property where she was born.

The family of William “Bill” Lazarus is shown left to right Andrea Wasson, Bridget Wasson, Tony Wasson, Stewart Wasson, City Commissioner Tim Kinsey, City Commissioner Arlene Wilks, City Commissioner Marcia Hellams, Kay Putchaven, R.W. “Putch” Putchaven, Trenton Mayor Glen Thigpen, and City Commissioner Randy Rutter.

William Lazarus was known on the Main Street of Trenton as Mr. Bill Lazarus.
Mr. Bill was born in Valdosta, Georgia on September 16, 1912 to Harry and Maggie Lazarus.
He was raised in Valdosta and lived there until 1936, when he moved to Trenton and opened a dry goods store on Main Street named The Fair Store. Most people knew him as “Mr. Bill.” He ran The Fair Store for 47 years and died on June 23, 1987.
Mr. Bill ran his business during the Great Depression, when overalls were sold for 89¢. If you couldn’t afford to pay cash for the merchandise, barter was acceptable and credit was possible. If these items were too costly for someone, Mr. Bill had been known to give them to people without obligation.
He was fortunate to have great employees who were loyal to him for many years. Among those were Marguerite Read and Marjorie Hudson.
Mr. Bill was truly a diplomat. If he couldn’t say something good about a person, he didn’t say anything at all. He never met a stranger and was eager to make new acquaintances. He married Doris Olsen, a Trenton Elementary School teacher. They had two daughters, Kay and Lucy.
He was a member of the William T. Carlton Masonic Lodge #46, Trenton Rotary Club and the American Association of Retired Persons. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church.
His hobbies were fishing and watching baseball.
Mr. Bill loved Trenton and dedicated his life to his family, business and community.
Plaques in honor of both Miss Johny and Mr. Bill have been added to those of former recipients’ plaques at the Trenton Community Center.