Nov. 3, 1925 - July 23, 2010SOUTH BEND - Walter V. Johnson Jr., 84, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, completed his life's journey on July 23, 2010, after living with prostrate cancer for over eight (8) years. Born November 3, 1925, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Walter Sr. and Molly Lomax Johnson, he was the younger of two children; his sister, Sadie Williams of Detroit, MI, preceded him in death. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lyda Thomas of Bloomington, Indiana, and recently celebrated their 66 wedding anniversary. After moving from Bloomington, Indiana, he worked for the Bendix Corporation from which he retired after 30 years at the early age of 52 years old. In 2002 he moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he became a member in good standing at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. He will be remembered by friends as a person who always had a kind word, a smile on his face, and a carefree spirit. He never met a stranger and never lost a friend. His memory will be cherished by his daughters, Cynthia Smitherman of Chandler, Arizona, and Loretta King of Irvin, TX; grandson, Rodney Smith of Scottsdale, AZ; granddaughters, Sheila Woods of Miami, FL, Sheryl McDonald of Charlotte, NC, Serena Randolph, King of Chandler, AZ; and three (3) great-grandsons, two (2) great-granddaughters and one great-great-granddaughter. He also leaves special memories for a host of nieces and nephews and cousins. Services have taken place in Mesa, AZ.