Bill F. Johnson, a 1961 graduate of UCA, has donated his papers to the UCA Archives.
Johnson, president of Simmons First National Bank of Conway, is perhaps best known for his work as sports announcer for the UCA Bears football team.
He began sports broadcasting in 1961 and has broadcast sports events for UCA, Hendrix College, Conway High School, and the University of Arkansas. Through 2003, he has broadcast 761 basketball games and 532 football games.
Johnson’s collection contains personal correspondence, professional correspondence, photographs, and audio-tapes of several Conway High School and UCA title games.
Jimmy Bryant, director of the archives, said, “Mr. Johnson’s audio tapes will be transferred to compact disc.
This will allow researchers to listen to these broadcasts many years into the future.”
Bryant also said that the Bill Johnson Collection will be available to researchers sometime in the spring of 2004.
Johnson has served in various capacities in the Kiwanis Club, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, the Conway Development Corporation, the Faulkner County Museum
Commission, the Arkansas Higher Education Board, the Conway Area Men’s Chorus, the Faulkner County Quorum Court and the Toad Council.
Johnson is married to Rosanne H. Johnson of Conway.
