MILFORD - Vail W. Johnson, of Milford, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was 85. Vail was born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Harman, W.Va., son of the late Russell and Cenna Wilford Johnson. He was a proud veteran of the Delaware National Guard. Mr. Johnson was employed for many years as an operator in the Waste Water Facility of the Water Department for the City of Milford. He joined the Carlisle Fire Company in Milford on Sept. 7, 1950, and soon after was installed as a member of the fire police. In 1955, he became the first President of the Kent County Fire Police Association and held that office until 1957. The Delaware State Volunteer Fire Police Association was organized in November of 1966 and Vail was elected as their President. He was an active member of the Fire Company for sixty-two years, serving on the Board of Directors and on numerous other committees and became a Life Member in 1990. Vail was honored in March of 2011 with the title of Fire Police Emeritus as well as being honored with fifty years of service with the Fire Police State Association in November of 2011. Vail was involved as a Boy Scout Leader with Troop 116 and also served as a Councilman for the City of Milford. He was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center in Milford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marietta C. Morgan Johnson in 2003. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Howard J. and Mona Johnson of Felton and Richard V. Johnson of Milford; two daughters and a son-in-law, Carol A. Evans and her companion Tina Lyons of Harrington, and Anita L. and Ron Hearn of Milford; a brother, William Johnson of Dry Fork, W.Va.; a sister, Lillie Varner of Wana, W.Va.; six grandchildren, Howard J. Johnson Jr. and his wife Judith, Jennifer M. Pulley, Laura N. Glanden and her husband Marcus, Russell V. Johnson, Stephen C. Hearn and Lindsay M. Hearn; four great-grandchildren; Kayla, Brianna, Mia and Matthew; and a special friend, Debbie Joseph of Ellendale. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Carlisle Fire Company, 615 NE Front St, Milford. Burial with full fireman's honors will follow the service in the Ellendale Methodist Cemetery, Ellendale. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Carlisle Fire Company, P.O. Box 292, Milford, DE 19963; or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Letters of condolence may be emailed at www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers.