Walter William Johnstone passed away at his home on November 04, 2022, at the age of 86.
He was born on September 08, 1936, to Samuel K. and Mary Peraldo Johnstone in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Walt graduated from Humboldt County High School. He started working as a teenager and continued working until his body would not allow it any longer.
His first job was at the Texaco Gas Station. He then went to work for his uncle, Don Johnstone, at Johnstone Motor Company as head mechanic and parts manager.
Always wanting his own shop, he built and opened Johnstone Auto Service in 1975 and retired in 2017. He was a well-known and highly regarded mechanic.
The love of his life, Francis Johnstone, passed away in 2010, leaving a huge void.
Walt is preceded in death by his wife, Fran; his grandparents, Guglielmo and Claudina Peraldo and Walter and Minnie Johnstone; his parents, Samuel K. and Mary Peraldo Johnstone; his sister, Sammye Ugalde; his brother, Tom Johnstone; and nephew, Robert Ugalde.
Walt is survived by his sister, Ann Johnstone; his three children, Leo Leighton, Tauna (Jon) Burhans and Sam Johnstone; grandchildren, Cassi (James) Whitney, Annie (Randall) Johnson, Ben (Bailey) Burhans and nine great-grandchildren, Maryan, Fatuma, Roscoe, Bentleigh, Florence, Isola, Brylee, Fitz, and Simone. He also leaves a niece, Eddyann Filippini; nephews, John and Frank Ugalde and numerous cousins.
Walt was an avid fisherman and hunter. He supported and gave of his time and service to many local organizations.
He was a volunteer for the Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Department from 1965 to 2011, 35 of those years he served as the Fire Chief.
He was a Kerak Shriner, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served in the Nevada National Guard.
Walt will be greatly missed by his family and friends and his “morning” and “afternoon” friends whom he considered his second family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 10, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Winnemucca Fire Department. Walt loved to tell and retell stories, so please join his family and friends in doing the same.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Department, in care of Ben Burhans, PO Box 1158 Winnemucca, NV 89446.
