Wilbur Johnson

Mr. Wilbur Lawton Johnson, affectionately known by all as Papaw, age 72, of 205 Hill Street, Walterboro, died Wednesday morning, March 4, 2009, at his residence. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Marilyn Farrell Johnson.



Funeral services will be conducted 2 oclock Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2009, from Bedon Baptist Church, 2410 Cottageville Highway, Walterboro, with The Reverend Eric Bjork officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow in the churchyard.



Mr. Johnson was born March 5, 1936, in Charleston, and was a son of the late Fletcher Lee Johnson and the late Annie Mae Driggers Johnson. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy and then worked in a civil capacity for the government where he retired as a Materials Expeditor at the United States Naval Shipyard in Charleston. After retirement from the Navy Yard, he worked as a security guard for Wyndham Ocean Ridge at Edisto Beach. He was a member of Bedon Baptist Church and was a Master Mason holding his membership at Bethlehem Masonic Lodge No. 338, Ancient Free Masons, where he had served the Lodge as Worshipful Master. He was a former member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He will be remembered by all for the love he possessed for his family and the outdoors, being an avid outdoorsman. Most of all, he will be remembered for his love of fishing the local creeks of Colleton County.



Surviving are: two sons, Kenny Johnson and his wife Susan of Walterboro and Todd Johnson of Charleston; a daughter, Aimee Johnson and her companion Carolyn Powell of Islandton; and two brothers, Clyde Johnson and his wife June and Alton Johnson and his wife Betty all of Walterboro. There are five grandchildren, Nicole Johnson Crosby and her husband Nick of Walterboro, Courtney Johnson of Islandton and her companion Gator Lemacks, Tabatha Powell of Islandton, Justin Evans of Walterboro, and Kerry Michael Canady of Walterboro; two great grandchildren, Amber Cromer and Coleman Crosby; and a daughter-in-law, Sonya Needham and her husband Mike of Islandton that also survive. He was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Brett, Hunter, and Caroline; and a brother, Harry Johnson.



Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorials be directed in his memory to: Colleton County Relay for Life, 5900 Core Road, Suite 540, North Charleston, South Carolina 29406.



Memorial messages and online condolences may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.



The family will be at the residence.



Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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