dahlia society of victoria

Beloved member Bill died peacefully in Melbourne on 28 June 2025 at the age of 96.

Bill George Johnson was the pre-eminent raiser of anemone dahlias in Australia and one of the elite breeders in the dahlia world. He was much respected here and worldwide for his generosity in sharing anemone dahlia seed and dahlia tubers.

Bill undertook anemone breeding to a fastidious clinical level noting in detail parentage, colours and anomalies and could transfer that knowledge instantly on request. He was among the very few worldwide that knew the complex biological make-up of dahlias.

Bill was passionate in his pursuits. He excelled in playing the organ and writing original scores, loved  trams and was extraordinarily good at orienteering.

Bill was a humble human being, a wonderful family man, friend, long-serving DSV member and an exemplary citizen.

Along with my fellow luminary DSV friends Barry and Deb Collett and Stephen Cox, we celebrated the life of and said farewell to Bill at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on Friday 11 July.