It is with sadness that we report that former Partner of Hillier Hopkins Keith Johnson passed away last month. He was the third person to make Partner after Mr Hillier and Mr Hopkins. They recruited him straight from school and he spent his entire career at the firm.
Martin Minett, Consultant at Hillier Hopkins, worked with Keith for many years. “Keith Johnson attended Hemel Hempstead Grammar School before becoming Articled to Len Hopkins in the original Hillier Hopkins & Co Hemel Hempstead Office. Len Hopkins graciously waived the fee that was normally payable as Keith’s father was unable to pay. It was there that he met and married his beloved Margaret who worked for the firm originally as a secretary.
In 1954 Keith was responsible for setting up the Watford Office in Station Road. Keith was famed for being able to do a set of accounts on the back of a match box at Kings Langley traffic lights. He always carried a selection of coloured biros in his jacket pocket. (Needed for Auditing pre Computerisation). Keith also had a pipe that he sucked on but never actually smoked.
He was an avid Watford Supporter holding a Season Ticket for many years. Keith was also a Justice of the Peace and continued to do this after retiring some twenty years ago.
We send our best wishes to his wife Margaret and his family in these strange and difficult times