Walter "Whitey" Eugene Johnson

Walter E. Johnson was one of eight children born and raised with the sea in his sight at the mouth of Coden Bayou, working alongside his mother, father, and siblings to survive in a very difficult economic time. His father founded one of the first blue crab shops in the area and from that business the children branched out and founded several seafood industries that continue to this day.

Whiteys brothers had the hair of a raven, but his hair was as white as cotton and hence from his childhood he was known as Whitey. Whitey became a bigger than life figure throughout south Mobile County. He was in all actuality a living legend in his time.

For most of Whitey’s life, his name was not always a good name. His name was associated with bars, booze and fighting. He was often challenged by those who wanted to be the one who would whip Whitey Johnson.

Later in life, Whitey no longer revelled in the name he had developed for himself. He turned to God and became a faithful church member and worked in many ways to help further the kingdom of God. His name had been changed. He was no longer Whitey just because of the color of his hair, but he had been washed white in the blood of the Lamb and now bore a new name of Christian.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Charlotte Johnson; siblings Margaret Sellers, Patricia Johnson, Corine Cain, Jimmy Johnson and Clarence Johnson; and son, Walter Louis Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Wilkerson Johnson; sons, Darrel Eugene Johnson, Rev. Bruce (Christina) Johnson, Pastor Rusty (Krista) Johnson, George "Cobby" Johnson (Jaime), daughter Kathy (Joe) Barko; two brothers, Donald (Helen) Johnson and Henry “Burkie” Johnson; 20 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation for Whitey will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2026, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Lighthouse of Hope Holiness Church, located at 11501 Argyle Road, Irvington, Alabama 36544. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Lighthouse of Hope Holiness Church, with interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery immediately following.