John Will Emfinger

Published 6:49 pm Monday, June 2, 2025

John Will Emfinger passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the EAMC-Lanier Nursing Home in Valley, Alabama, on May 31, 2025.

He leaves a legacy of love, faithfulness, and service in the hearts of his family, friends, and everyone who has known him.

Known affectionately to his family and many friends as “White Top”, John Will Emfinger was born on December 5, 1930, in Beulah, Alabama, to John Albert Emfinger and Catherine Johnson Emfinger.

He married Frances Lanelle Smith Emfinger in 1952.

“White Top” spent his life in service to his country, his community, and his family. After graduating from Beulah High School, he joined the US Navy and completed training in San Diego, California. He traveled with the USS Windham Bay in the Pacific Fleet to Japan and served during the Korean War on the USS Boxer aircraft carrier.

After his military service, he and his family lived in Birmingham and Montgomery before returning to Valley, Alabama. Mr.Emfinger was an active and respected member of the Valley community, serving on committees supporting our school systems, churches, and local businesses throughout his life. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Valley #516, Kiwanis Club and American Legion.

For decades, he managed the Taunton hardware store and later owned the paint and wall coverings store Taunton-Emfinger in Fairfax.

Mr.Emfinger was a faithful and dedicated member at Fairfax First Baptist Church for more than 60 years, serving as a deacon and on committees to steward the church.

His hobbies included farming, gardening and reading. What he most enjoyed was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Mr.Emfinger is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Frances Lanelle Smith Emfinger, parents John Albert Emfinger and Catherine Johnson Emfinger; and son-in-law Jeffrey Arnold Cook.

He is survived by sisters Marlene (John) McCollum, Laura (Bill) King, and Kathy Ragsdale; and his children John (Susie) Emfinger of Brandon, Mississippi; Cheryl (Jeff) Cook of Winter Garden, Florida; and Bruce (Ellen) Emfinger of Valley, Alabama. His legacy continues through his grandchildren Robin (Mike) Williams, Allison (Nyah) Vanterpool, Rachel (Philip) Mahoney, Jennifer Cook, Ansley Emfinger, Regan Emfinger, and John (Kendall) Emfinger; and his great-grandchildren Harper Bradshaw, Hadley Bradshaw, Collins Mahoney, James Mahoney, Maggie Mahoney, and soon-to-be John Preston Emfinger.

Emfinger’s life is a testament to his faith and commitment to family and the community he loved. He will be remembered for his lifetime of service, hard work, love, and good humor.

Services in honor of John Will Emfinger will take place at Johnson Brown Funeral Home in Valley, Alabama.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 3, from 5:00-7:00pm (EDT)at Johnson Brown-Service Chapel Services will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 11:00am (EDT) with Brother Steve Garnett and Brother Kevin Anglin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fairfax First Baptist Church, 510 Denson St., Valley, AL 36854 or to the Valley Masonic Lodge #516 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 477 Valley, AL 36854.

Please visit Mr. Emfinger Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Mr Emfinger, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.  3700 20th Avenue, Valley, Alabama 36854. (334)768-2141