Walter L. Johnson

Walter L. Johnson, 87, of South San Francisco passed away January 12, 2012 after a brief hospital stay. Walter, the youngest of four boys, was born in Amenia, North Dakota on April 22, 1924, to John David and Pauline Stevold Johnson.

Drafted into the United States Army in 1943, Walter served as a combat engineer in the 20th Armored Division in France, Austria and Germany. During the war his parents moved to San Francisco to help in the war effort and Walter joined them after being honorably discharged. He fell in love with The City and the feeling was mutual.

Walter was an ice cream maker at King Kold ice cream when he accepted a position at Sears selling appliances and televisions. While working at Sears, he became active in the Retail Clerks Union, Local 1100, rising up through the ranks to become Secretary-Treasurer. Walter left Local 1100 to become Secretary Treasurer of the San Francisco Labor Council, a position he held for nearly twenty years, retiring at the age of eighty in 2004.
Walter married Jane Hoke in 1950 and they had three children, Lawrence, Eric and Emily. They moved to South San Francisco in 1955 where they became active in Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church.

His passion for the rights and dignity of the working person led him to dedicate his life to social justice. He never stopped fighting and he could often be heard saying "out on the street, keeping the beat, swinging along, singing a song".

Preceded in death by Jane, his beloved wife of 57 years, his son Eric, his parents and brothers Lloyd and John. He is survived by his son Lawrence, daughter Emily Davis (Kevin), daughter in law Susan Johnson, grandchildren Alison and Natalie Davis and Ryan, Pierce and Taylor Johnson, brother Victor and many nieces and nephews.

Donations are requested in his memory to Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, 609 Southwood Dr., South San Francisco, CA 94080.