Walter was the third of four children, and the only son to be born to, William Victor Johnson and his wife, Alena [Barnes] Johnson. He was born in Newberry, Luce, MI on 28 August 1898. In 1924 he married, Viola Nieme. Together this couple would share one known child, a daughter. Walter died in Newberry on, 04 August 1955. He is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Newberry.