Longtime Bulloch County resident and World War II veteran Walter Johnson has died at the age of 93. Mr. Johnson passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family after a valiant battle with a terminal illness. His devotion to family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle, and ultimately gave him peace on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, when he transitioned from this life.
Mr. Johnson made history by becoming the first and only African American to ever own and operate a welding construction company in Bulloch County, Walter Johnson Welding Construction, Statesboro, Ga. Mr. Johnson took pride in his company and over the years, made and kept a good name for himself. He was widely known and respected for his excellent quality of work in the construction industry. Throughout Bulloch County and beyond, Mr. Johnson's welding footprint can be found in many structures.
Mr. Johnson confessed his faith in Christ in adulthood and was later called and ordained as a deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he served faithfully in that capacity and others for well over 40 years.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his second wife of three years, Earline Johnson; and her two sons, Ricky R. Mikell and Dwight R. Sharpe; his three children, Hubert James Johnson of Statesboro, Ga.; Sammy Lee (Carol) Johnson of College Park, Ga.; and Edith (Roosevelt) Rogers of Jacksonville, Fla., from his first wife of 66 years, Nina Bell Simmons Johnson (deceased); his two children, Lillie Powell of Statesboro, Ga.; and James Johnson (deceased) from a relationship prior to marriage; four sisters, Annette (Wendell) Garbett of Edison, New Jersey; Almarita Donaldson and Jacqueline Tremble, both of Statesboro, Ga.; and Mildred Turner of Savannah, Ga.; one brother-in-law, Henry (Linda) Brenton of Claxton, Ga.; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 210 Bulloch Street, Statesboro, GA, with the Rev. Daniel C. Woodson, pastor, officiating.
The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service and there will be no open casket viewing during the service.
Repast will immediately follow the service at the church.
Interment will follow in Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Glennville, Ga.
The family requests that contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice in Mr. Johnson's memory. Other condolences and flowers may be sent to Craig R. Tremble Funeral Home, 238 West Main Street, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Statesboro Herald, August 16, 2018
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.
Mr. Johnson made history by becoming the first and only African American to ever own and operate a welding construction company in Bulloch County, Walter Johnson Welding Construction, Statesboro, Ga. Mr. Johnson took pride in his company and over the years, made and kept a good name for himself. He was widely known and respected for his excellent quality of work in the construction industry. Throughout Bulloch County and beyond, Mr. Johnson's welding footprint can be found in many structures.
Mr. Johnson confessed his faith in Christ in adulthood and was later called and ordained as a deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he served faithfully in that capacity and others for well over 40 years.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his second wife of three years, Earline Johnson; and her two sons, Ricky R. Mikell and Dwight R. Sharpe; his three children, Hubert James Johnson of Statesboro, Ga.; Sammy Lee (Carol) Johnson of College Park, Ga.; and Edith (Roosevelt) Rogers of Jacksonville, Fla., from his first wife of 66 years, Nina Bell Simmons Johnson (deceased); his two children, Lillie Powell of Statesboro, Ga.; and James Johnson (deceased) from a relationship prior to marriage; four sisters, Annette (Wendell) Garbett of Edison, New Jersey; Almarita Donaldson and Jacqueline Tremble, both of Statesboro, Ga.; and Mildred Turner of Savannah, Ga.; one brother-in-law, Henry (Linda) Brenton of Claxton, Ga.; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 210 Bulloch Street, Statesboro, GA, with the Rev. Daniel C. Woodson, pastor, officiating.
The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service and there will be no open casket viewing during the service.
Repast will immediately follow the service at the church.
Interment will follow in Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Glennville, Ga.
The family requests that contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice in Mr. Johnson's memory. Other condolences and flowers may be sent to Craig R. Tremble Funeral Home, 238 West Main Street, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Statesboro Herald, August 16, 2018
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.