William J. Wallace (Lebanon)'s Obituary
MSgt. (Ret) William Junior Wallace, son of William Earp and Cathrine Decker Wallace, was born August 13, 1935, in Marshall, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, February 26, 2019, in Mercy Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, six months, and thirteen days.
On November 2, 1967, he was united in marriage to Florence Ann McGuire, and they shared the last fifty-one years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Willy Wallace; a brother, “Bo”; and four sisters, “Toodie”, “Bunkie”, “Sis”, and Maxine.
William is survived by his loving wife, Florence, of the home; a son, William Wood, and his wife, Martha, of Camdenton, Missouri; three daughters, Jackie Crosby, and her husband, Mike, of Peculiar, Missouri, Dee Bennett, of the State of Nebraska, and Crystal Wallace, of Kansas City, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Stephen, Jessica, Melissa, Michael, Jr., Jimmy, David, Kristen, and Christopher; ten great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Marshall, Missouri, and graduated from Marshall High School, where he lettered in field and track. He joined the military as a young man and served his country faithfully in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 until retiring in 1980. During his twenty-seven years in the Marines, he served three tours of duty in Vietnam, and was stationed in the Philippines, the Middle East, and in the Orient. Among the many awards and medals he received were the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallentry, and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation. After he retired, the family lived in Arizona for two years, and then in the State of Washington. Later, he and Florence moved to Stoutland, Missouri where they lived for twenty years. He did security work at a veteran’s hospital and worked in construction with his son. For the last twelve years, he and Florence had lived in Lebanon.
William was a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Lebanon, and was involved in the Knights of Columbus.
He belonged to the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Marine Corps League. He liked animals and particularly horses, dogs, and Missouri mules. He also enjoyed doing black powder shooting. His country and his family were always central in his life and he especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wallace was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
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