Walter Haven Johnston

Reverend Walter “Walt” Johnston of Independence, MO, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022, Walter was 78. Walt was born on September 14, 1943, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Walter Wilbur and Dorothy Marquerite (Secord) Johnston.

Walt graduated from Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth, NH. After graduation he entered the Sheetmetal Apprentice Program at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and became a Sheetmetal Journey man. Walt joined the U.S. Naval Reserves, Construction Forces (Seabee).

Walter met and married his beloved wife Fredah Frances Lindsey in El Rio, CA, while in the Seabee steelworker training at Port Hueneme, CA, in 1965. Walter’s Seabee Battalion 121 served in Vietnam 1967-1968.

Walt was called by God to be a minister and then attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, there he received his Master of Divinity Degree. Walter re-entered as a Chaplain in the Naval Reserves. He was called up for active duty five times and spent twelve years assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps. Walt served in Vietnam and Desert Storm as well as other shorter assignments. Walt retired as Lieutenant Commander from the Naval Reserves in 1996, after 20 years of service. Walter pastored five churches: Mt Leonard, MO; Calvary Odessa, MO; Island Pond East Hampstead, NH; English Mission Lawrence, MA; and Blue Summit Kansas City, MO. He served as full time Chaplain in county jail, Brentwood, NH for 12 years.

Walter leaves behind his wife, Fredah, three children; Teresa Johnston, Patricia (Patrick) Quintal, Walter Johnston Jr. and daughter-in law Christine Johnston. Five grandchildren; Beth (Jamie) Skaggs, April (Ethan) Shively, Bethany Quintal, Matt and David Johnston. Nine great and three great-great grandchildren. Brother, James Johnston.

Walt is preceded in death by his parents, three siblings: Trudy McAtavey, John Johnston, and Robert (Chip) Johnston.

Graveside services will take place at Bower’s Chapel Cemetery, Urbana, MO. In Lieu of flowers donations in his honor to Shriner’s Children Hospital at: lovetotherescue.org