Walter Fair Johnson, III, a man remembered for his unwavering faith, gentle leadership, and lifelong devotion to his community, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on June 17, 1947, in Mansfield, Louisiana, he lived a life deeply rooted in service — to God, to his family, and to the people of Northwest Louisiana.
Growing up in Mansfield, “Walter Fair” embraced the lessons taught by the land and by a close-knit rural community. Life on the family farm instilled in him a strong work ethic, humility, and a dedication to helping others. As a boy, he developed passions that shaped his early years — riding horses, hunting, playing the saxophone in his high school band, and even preaching to the congregation at First Baptist Mansfield. His achievements were many, including earning the rank of Eagle Scout, a distinction he carried proudly throughout his life.
After graduating high school, Walter Fair attended Louisiana Tech University, where he studied accounting and quickly became an active and respected campus leader. He served as Vice President and then President of the Student Union, earned a place in the distinguished “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities,” and joined ROTC. Upon completing the program, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force — an accomplishment that paved the way for his law education at LSU through the GI Bill.
In the summer of 1970, he married his beloved Sissy, beginning a 55-year partnership marked by faithfulness, mutual respect, and a deep, enduring love. Together, they built a family while balancing his military commitments and the rigors of law school. When his studies were complete, the two returned home to Northwest Louisiana, where he began the legal career that would span more than four decades.
Practicing law in Shreveport, Walter Fair became a trusted advisor to families across the region. He specialized in wills, family successions, and mineral and land matters tied to Louisiana’s oil and gas fields. Known for his clarity, fairness, and dependability, he built a reputation as an attorney whose word could be relied upon and whose counsel was offered with unwavering integrity.
His deepest identity, however, was shaped by his faith. A devoted member and elder at Christian Center of Shreveport, he rarely missed a service and spent years teaching children’s Sunday school, leading weekly communion, and supporting the church in countless quiet ways. His family affectionately called him “Pop,” a name that captured his warmth and the steady presence he brought into every gathering. Whether celebrating birthdays, organizing holiday meals, or simply offering a listening ear, he made others feel valued.
He leaves behind his cherished wife, Elizabeth “Sissy” Waller Johnson; four children — Walter F. Johnson IV, Elizabeth Noel Johnson, Erin Johnson Bailey (Adam), and Andrew Hollis Johnson; and his beloved grandchildren Ava, Madison, Arabella, and Scarlett.
In honor of his lifelong commitment to strengthening his church community, donations may be made to the “Christian Center of Shreveport” for the Children’s Playground Fund.
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