GREENVILLE, Miss.–Former state Senator and circuit judge Johnnie E. Walls, Jr., has died. Walls died Saturday, said Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons, who was a personal friend of Walls.
“Judge Walls was a dedicated public servant and a distinguished legal mind. Representing Greenville and the Delta, he served with honor in the Mississippi State Senate from 1993 to 2010, representing District 12. In 2010, he was elected to the bench and began his judicial service on January 3, 2011, where he continued to uphold the principles of justice until his retirement in February 2016,” said Simmons in a Facebook post.
“A proud alumnus of Jackson State University, Judge Walls earned his B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 1971. Prior to his time on the bench, he built a widely respected private law practice in Greenville, where he was known as a skilled and passionate criminal defense attorney,” said Simmons.
“Judge Walls leaves behind a powerful legacy of integrity, wisdom, and dedication to public service. Final arrangements will be shared in the coming days,” said the mayor.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, May 24.
