Lambert Johnny Waltman

Lambert Johnny Waltman, was born July 30, 1920, in Semmes, Alabama. He was a lifelong resident of Mobile until his death on January 6, 2016, at age 95. Affectionately known as “L.J.”, he served 42 years in the U.S. Merchants Marines from 1939 to 1981, receiving the rank of Lieutenant Commander at age 27, the youngest age allowed. He traveled to 97 different countries, dropped anchor in 359 foreign ports and 78 U.S. ports. He helped transport cargo and passengers in peacetime and delivered troops, supplies and bombs for the military during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

L.J. attended Old Shell Road and Arlington Elementary schools, Barton Academy, and Murphy High School, from which he graduated in 1938. After high school, he joined the National Youth Administration, assigned to the Department of Commerce in Mobile. It was there that he became infatuated with going to sea. He soon received his seaman’s papers and signed on with the Waterman Steamship Corporation, first sailing on the ship, City of Alma.

His travels took him to ports in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas, to Africa and the West Indies, to the Middle and Far East, to Central and South America, the South and North Pacific. It was on one of those trips that he met Sabiha Maykut, of Istanbul, Turkey, who would become his wife for 48 years.

During retirement, L. J. and Sabiha enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. by motor coach; and spending time at their beach home on Little Lagoon in Gulf Shores. L.J. was an avid poetry reader, having spent much time memorizing his favorite ones, which he could quote until his death.

When the Gulf Quest National Maritime Museum was under development, L.J. provided extensive assistance to the historians, both in oral history and in donations of maritime memorabilia from his personal collection. One of the highlights of his memorable life was participating in the Honor Flight South Alabama, where then Governor Bob Riley served as his “guardian” for the trip to Washington D.C.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sabiha Maykut Waltman; parents, Earnest and Nevada Cowart Waltman; brothers, Alton and Tyrell; and sister, Thelma Waltman Kennedy.

He is survived by his son, Ender (Rhonda) Waltman; grandchildren: Shelley (Casey) Joiner, Jennifer Waltman and Christopher Bryant; great-grandchildren: Mason Joiner, Madelyn Joiner and Sawyer Bryant-Snyder; nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Cathy Juvenile (Carly) Davis and family.

Military honors services are pending and will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the family charity, Sandcastle Kids, Inc., P. O Box 6156, Miramar Beach FL, 32550. (www.thesandcastlekids.com)

Arrangements by Pinecrest Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama. (251)478-5227.

Arrangements under the direction of Pine Crest Funeral Home, MOBILE, AL.