Junior Edwards Dies at 61: Swamp People Star’s Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, Wife & Kids

Long before television crews arrived in the bayou, Junior Edwards was already living the kind of life most people only see on screen. A commercial fisherman, alligator hunter, and lifelong resident of Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, Junior built his world on tradition, survival skills, and a deep connection to the swamp he called home.

Junior became part of the cast of Swamp People when the show premiered in 2010 and appeared through season 6. Viewers followed his daily routines, from building boats by hand to hauling in alligator lines under the blazing sun, showcasing a way of life rooted in hard work, resourcefulness, and family ties shared with his son Willie.

Even after stepping away from the show, Junior continued the same way of life he had always known, living and working in southern Louisiana with his wife Theresa and remaining deeply connected to the bayou.

On July 26, 2025, Junior Edwards passed away at his home at the age of 61 after a battle with colon cancer. His passing marked the close of a life built around the swamp’s traditions and values, leaving behind a legacy carried forward by his wife Theresa, his son Willie, and the community he called home. This biography reflects on his early life, television career, family legacy, and the enduring traditions that defined his journey in the bayou.

Junior Edwards Wiki Bio Facts

Field	Details
Full Name	William “Junior” Edwards
Known As	Junior Edwards
Date of Birth	1964
Age at Death	61 years old
Place of Birth	Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana, USA
Last Residence	Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Occupation	Commercial fisherman, alligator hunter, reality TV personality
Years Active	1980s–2025
Television Debut	Swamp People, Season 1 (2010)
Notable TV Series	Swamp People (History Channel) – Seasons 1–6, 12
Spouse	Theresa Edwards (married July 10, 1981)
Children	Willie Edwards, Randy Edwards (deceased 2018)
Grandchildren	William “Little Willie” Edwards IV,, Nathan Winters, Randy Edwards II, Sierra Edwards
Net Worth (est.)	$400,000 (as of 2025)
Notable Skills	Alligator hunting, hoop net fishing, boat building, Cajun cooking
Famous For	Swamp survival skills, traditional Cajun lifestyle, multi-generational mentorship
Date of Death	July 26, 2025
Cause of Death	Colon cancer

Junior Edwards’ Childhood and Background

Junior Edwards was born and raised in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin. Growing up in this vast swamp, he learned to live off the land—mastering alligator hunting, deer hunting, buffalo fishing, fur trapping, and net fishing from a young age.

His early life followed the seasonal rhythms of the bayou. He fished buffalo in winter, hunted alligators during the 30-day fall season, and trapped crawfish in spring and summer using bait like shad and buffalo meat. This practical knowledge helped him become one of the most skilled outdoorsmen in the region.

Junior also learned to track animal behavior based on the swamp’s changing environment. He knew when deer would move to higher ground after floods and used that to his advantage while hunting.

His family’s meals often came from the swamp—wild hog, raccoon, catfish, and smaller alligators were regular staples. He especially preferred younger gators for their tender meat and only ate buffalo fish for their ribs to avoid the many small bones.

One of his favorite areas was a remote part of the swamp filled with towering cypress trees, some nearly nine feet thick—reflecting both the beauty and wildness of the Louisiana wetlands.

In addition to hunting and fishing, Edwards also learned to build his own boats—a skill passed down from his father. At a time when wooden boats were common in the swamp, he watched and later replicated boat-building techniques using materials like plywood, fir, and cypress. Cypress wood, known for its durability, was used in key parts of the structure to ensure longevity. Though he never received formal training, he credited hands-on experience and observation for his ability, calling it “just common sense.”

Professional Career: Fishing, Hunting, and Survival

Junior Edwards was a professional fisherman and hunter for over 40 years. Throughout his life, his work followed the seasonal rhythms of the Louisiana swamps, forming a vital part of the legacy he left behind.

During his active career, springtime saw Junior fishing for crawfish using specialized traps baited with pogies, shad, or cut buffalo. He was also involved in collecting up to 6,100 alligator eggs annually for a ranching program. These eggs were incubated, and approximately 12% of the hatched alligators were returned to him as juveniles. Once they reached four to six feet in length, he released them back into the wild to help sustain the population and preserve the hunting grounds.

Late summer and early fall marked Louisiana’s official 30-day alligator hunting season. Junior used traditional methods: baiting large hooks with chicken or beef and suspending them above the water. Once an alligator swallowed the bait, it would become hooked, and Junior would pull it to the boat and dispatch it using a .22 magnum—a firearm he favored for its accuracy and humane efficiency.

During the winter months, Junior turned to deer hunting, particularly in the elevated, sandy ridges of the Atchafalaya Basin where deer congregated during high water. He also hunted wild hogs, trapped raccoons, and fished with gill nets for buffalo and bowfin (shoe pick). At his peak, he could bring in thousands of pounds of fish in a single day. The roe from bowfin was processed and sold as caviar, while the meat was sold locally or used as bait.

Fur trapping, once a reliable income source, largely declined over time. Still, it remained part of the traditional swamp lifestyle that Junior practiced and passed down to his family. These demanding routines, carried out over decades, stand as a testament to the way of life he maintained for most of his years in the bayou, until health challenges later in life limited his ability to continue before his passing in July 2025.

Culinary Traditions and Daily Life

The same dedication that Junior brought to hunting and fishing carried over into his home life. His hard-earned catches often became the foundation of family meals, turning long days on the water into shared moments at the table. Junior was well-regarded for his Cajun cooking, preparing classic bayou dishes such as boiled crawfish, fried catfish, frog legs, garfish patties, and wild hog. He often preferred smaller gators for their tenderness and considered wild hog among the finest meats available. Meals were traditionally a family effort, with his wife Theresa helping to prepare, cook, and preserve the catch. She also worked alongside him on the boat, making their livelihood a shared endeavor.

Swamp People and National Recognition

In 2010, the History Channel launched a new series titled “Swamp People,” aimed at showcasing the lives of alligator hunters in southern Louisiana. Junior Edwards was among the original cast members. His earliest appearances featured him fishing for buffalo, but the series soon began documenting his alligator hunting activities as well—most often alongside his son Willie Edwards.

Over multiple seasons, Junior and Willie became familiar faces to viewers across the country. Their dynamic as father and son, along with their use of traditional hunting methods, offered a close-up view of generational knowledge and rural craftsmanship. In Season 12, Junior rejoined the cast with both Willie and his grandson, Little Willie, further underscoring the family’s multi-generational role in swamp life.

The show’s national exposure brought increased visibility to the Edwards family and their work, but Junior remained grounded in his day-to-day responsibilities. He continued building boats, maintaining his fishing and hunting operations, and working closely with family. In interviews, he has acknowledged the film crews’ efforts to portray his life accurately, noting the volume of footage captured to provide an authentic representation of swamp living.

Junior Edwards Journey on Swamp People

Junior’s presence on Swamp People unfolded across multiple seasons, each reflecting a different chapter in his evolving role as a hunter, mentor, and father. Here’s how his journey played out on screen.

He first appeared in Season 1 alongside his son, Willie Edwards. Together, they formed a father-son duo that quickly became fan favorites. From crafting their own gator hooks to planning strategic routes through the bayou, they brought a thoughtful, self-reliant approach to the swamp. In the very first episode, “Big Head Bites It,” viewers saw them hand-making treble hooks, highlighting the creativity and resourcefulness that defined their way of life.

In Seasons 2 and 3, Junior began to shift more responsibility onto Willie’s shoulders, allowing his son to pilot his own boat and make critical decisions. Episodes like “Hot Pursuit” and “Divide to Conquer” showcased the growing pains of that transition. Whether it was forgetting to bring the right shotgun or learning to manage stress under pressure, these moments showed Junior as both a tough mentor and a father trying to pass down his legacy.

By Season 4, the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac made gator hunting more unpredictable. In one episode, “Blood Lines,” Junior had to pause hunting to rescue livestock and dogs stranded by floodwaters—demonstrating his sense of duty not just to hunting, but to his community.

In Season 5, tensions between father and son reached a boiling point. In the episode “Breaking Point,” a misfired gun during a chaotic hunt nearly caused injury. It was a wake-up call for the Edwards family. Willie decided to go solo, while Junior teamed up with his wife, Theresa, showing his willingness to adapt and continue the tradition with someone just as experienced.

Season 6 brought new challenges—and bigger stakes. A $10,000 bounty was offered for the longest gator, and in the episode “Bounty on the Bayou,” Junior and Theresa went after a massive gator nicknamed “Hercules,” a local legend known for breaking traps and dragging entire bait lines. Junior’s calm strategy and adaptability stood out, reminding viewers why he was one of the swamp’s most respected veterans.

In the episode “Bounty or Bust,” Junior gave fans a more personal look at life in the bayou. He and Theresa caught a giant garfish and took it home to cook—a reminder that swamp life is about more than just hunting. Junior explained how to clean and prepare the fish Cajun-style without washing it (to keep the meat from turning mushy). With a mix of breadcrumbs, bell peppers, onions, and eggs, they turned the catch into a hearty meal. “There ain’t nothing else better than garfish,” Theresa said, capturing their deep connection to the land and its food.

After Season 6, Junior stepped away from Swamp People in 2015 to focus on hoop net fishing full-time. For the next several years, he and Theresa began their days before sunrise, hauling in thousands of pounds of fish with handmade nets. They used specially crafted boats, like their wide, flat-bottomed “bateau” and their narrow, maneuverable “skiff.” Built mostly by Junior himself using cypress, plywood, and traditional methods, these boats could haul up to 6,000 pounds of fish. As Junior explained, he learned boatbuilding from his father and relied on common sense and experience—not schooling—to get the job done.

In Season 12 (2021), Junior returned to help fight a dangerous surge in alligator populations, which had made the swamp more aggressive and unpredictable than ever. Reuniting with Willie and working alongside his grandson, Little Willie, Junior represented three generations of Edwards men back on the water.

In Episode 5, “Heat Wave,” Junior and Willie ran separate boats, using a “leapfrog” strategy to check lines faster during record-breaking temperatures. It was a fast-paced, high-stress episode that showed Junior’s endurance and expertise. Later, in Episode 8, “Day of the Deckhand,” father and son teamed up again, working in sync like old times. Junior’s steady presence helped balance the team as they faced hostile gators and difficult terrain.

While other teams struggled in Season 12 with unreliable boats and inexperienced deckhands, Junior’s calm, practical knowledge stood out. He knew how to read the water, avoid danger, and keep the team focused—all while mentoring the next generation.

Junior Edwards Net Worth

At the time of his passing, Junior Edwards had an estimated net worth of approximately $350,000. This figure reflected decades of work in commercial fishing, hunting, and his participation in the History Channel series Swamp People. His earnings were derived from hauling thousands of pounds of fish, collecting alligator eggs, building boats by hand, and showcasing the traditional bayou lifestyle through television.

Family Life of Junior Edwards: Wife, Sons, and Grandchildren

Junior Edwards was married to Theresa Edwards, his lifelong partner both in life and in the swamp. The two first met as children and had known each other since the second grade, growing up side by side “like peas in a pod,” as Theresa once described. Their bond turned into a lifelong partnership when they married on July 10, 1981, beginning a journey that would span more than four decades. In a Facebook post from June 18, 2014, Theresa fondly shared how, at the time, Junior was 50 and she was 49, reflecting on the years they had spent together building a family and a life rooted in Louisiana’s wetlands.

Theresa often expressed her admiration for Junior, describing him as a devoted husband and father who worked tirelessly to provide for their family. She shared how, despite his tough love, he taught their sons the value of hard work and how to make an honest living in the swamp. Their marriage was marked by shared dedication, sacrifice, and resilience, with milestones celebrated not through grand gestures but in small, meaningful moments.

In a 2014 post, Theresa recalled receiving a new wedding ring set from Junior for Christmas, commemorating 33 years of marriage and symbolizing their enduring love and partnership.

Theresa played an active role in Junior’s work, joining him on alligator hunts, helping operate boats, and contributing to fishing operations. Her appearances on Swamp People highlighted her strength and skill, showing the essential role she played in the family’s livelihood.

Together, Junior and Theresa raised two sons, Willie and Randy. Willie Edwards has carried on his father’s legacy, becoming a central figure on Swamp People and representing the next generation of swamp hunters. Randy also embraced the outdoor lifestyle before tragically passing away in a car accident in 2018—a loss that remains deeply felt by the family.

Junior and Theresa were proud grandparents. Willie and his wife Sherrie have a son, William “Little Willie” Edwards IV, who made his debut alongside his father in Season 11 of Swamp People. Randy, before his passing, had three children—Nathan Winters, Randy Edwards II, and Sierra Edwards. Each grandchild carries forward the Edwards legacy. During his lifetime, Junior helped guide Little Willie as he began taking on more responsibility in the swamp, continuing the values and skills passed down through three generations. For Junior and Theresa, family remained at the center of everything they did—from building boats and setting lines to preserving the traditions of the land they called home.

Death of Junior Edwards: Tributes to a Swamp People Legend

William “Junior” Lawrence Edwards, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the age of 61, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. The news of his passing was shared by his son, Willie Edwards, who expressed the family’s immense sadness and gratitude for the remarkable display of love and support they received during this time of grief.

Former Swamp People cast member Ashley “Dead Eye” Jones remembered Junior as “one of the greatest alligator hunters there is” and a “real hardcore outdoorsman.” She recalled watching him haul in “monster gators” after a long, exhausting day, a moment they captured together in a photo at Duffy’s Gas Station in Pierre Part, Louisiana.

Jacob Landry paid tribute by calling Junior a “swamp legend gone too soon,” reminiscing about the time they spent together and expressing confidence that Junior would be “watching over all of us” when gator season returned.

Troy Landry also honored his late friend, noting the loss of “two old buddies” that week, including Junior and Mr. Sterling. He reminded everyone how precious life is and asked that prayers be sent to both families during this difficult time.

Visitation is scheduled at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m., resuming Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the religious service at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Troy Romig. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.

Junior was preceded in death by his son Randy Edwards, granddaughters Michaela and Katelyn Edwards, his parents William “Buster” and Margie Wheat Edwards, and several other beloved family members.