Dr. Wallace Russell (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Dr. Wallace O. Russell, age 92, was born on May 23rd, 1924 to Earnest D. and Fern (DeGroot) Russell, and passed away on February 13, 2017.
Wallace was born in Paola, KS. The family moved to Bolivar 1938 where he graduated from Bolivar High School in 1942. After graduating Wallace attended Southwest Baptist College before enlisting in the Army Reserves. In 1943 he was called to active duty and served in the 41th infantry during WWII. In 1944, during an attack on Biak Island, he was severely wounded by mortar shells. Wallace then returned to the states to begin a long recovery process and received a medical discharge. Wallace was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and received a Purple Heart on June 1st, 1944.
After his recovery, Wallace enrolled in Southern College of Optometry in Memphis where he completed his Doctor of Optometry Degree. Wallace then returned to Bolivar and opened his practice. After returning to Bolivar he married, Leattie Ball, June 10th, 1953 and they were happily married 54 years. They had a beautiful daughter, Pamela,who was the joy of their lives. Wallace enjoyed golf, playing cards and he, Leattie & Pam loved to travel. Most importantly, Wallace will be remembered as a loving and caring family man and as a true gentleman.
Wallace was an Optometrist in Bolivar for 42 years. He served on the Board of Farmers and Merchants Bank, now Commerce Bank, for 19 years. Wallace was honored to receive the Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award from Bolivar High School in 2009. He and Leattie created and oversaw a Trust Scholarship at Drury College in honor of their daughter Pamela. Wallace was a member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church and past Chairman of their Finance Committee. He was a member of Kiwanis Club and active in community affairs.
He was preceded in death by his wife Leattie, his daughter Pamela, his brother Donald Russell, and his parents.
Wallace is survived by eleven nieces and nephews and their families. John & Judi Russell, Patricia & Bryan Breckenridge, Susan & Doug Brashears, William & Nedra Fox, and Patricia & Eddie Neal, Debra Fantauzzi, Thomas & Judi Ball, Stephanie & Mick McIntyre, Sheila & Bill Wear Jr., J Richard & Renee Ball, Shawnna & Scott Furnish. And special caregiver Kathy Mauck.
Visitation will be on hour prior to service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Butler Funeral Home, in Bolivar.
Funeral Services for Wallace will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri, with Rev. Bill Wear officiating. Burial will follow services in the Greenwood Cemetery, with John Russell, Bryan Breckenridge, Doug Brashears, Thomas Ball, William Fox, Mick McIntyre, Eddie Neal, J Richard Ball, Scott Furnish serving as casket bearers, and Gerald Stephens, Donald Babb, Eugene Hutchinson serving as honorary casket bearers.
Thank you to the staff of Integrity Home Care, Maplewood Care Center, Jeff & Kim Payne and Bobbie Nash for their love and special care of Wallace.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pamela S. Russell Memorial Fund ℅ Drury University Institutional Advancement Office, 900 N Benton Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
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