William Arthur "Bill" Wallace

Bill Wallace died April 9th at his home in Oklahoma City. He was born January 14, 1939, in Seminole, Oklahoma, and his parents were the late Edith Marie Wallace and Lewis Arthur Wallace. Bill Wallace loved his life, loved to laugh and was very loud! He loved people and he loved his church. If he was your friend he would defend you right or wrong as he believed the word friend meant there were no qualifications attached. He never met a stranger. His laugh permeated throughout a crowd of people and you could always locate him by his loud voice. His favorite activity was dancing to rock and roll music. Bill Wallace retired from The Oklahoman in 2001 after 37 years. He was credit manager for 32 years. He was a member of the Advertising Media Credit Executives and received "Credit Manager of the Year Award" and "The Golden Bulldog Award." He was chairman of the AMCE national conference held in Oklahoma City for 200 delegates. He was active in many organizations during his lifetime, including the Jaycees, Red Earth (festival chairman for three years); Good Will Industries and was a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber , YMCA, Oklahoma State University and the United Way. He served on the Associates Council at the University of Oklahoma for several years. He was a University of Central Oklahoma graduate and earned a bachelor's degree in English. Other activities included Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Young Men's Dinner Club and Beaux Arts Ball announcer for eight years. He and his first wife, the late Patricia Jones Wallace, had one son, Dr. William Arthur Wallace Jr., from Jacksonville, Fla. He is survived by his second wife, Helen Ford Wallace of the home; his son and family, Joy and Dr. Wallace and grandchildren, Rhys Patrick Wallace, Ethan Kendrick Wallace, Jacksonville, and, Kathleen Ross, Chicago, and lots of very special nieces, nephews and cousins. His current wife's children and grandchildren knew him as "Bull" and he is survived by them as well: Lillie-Beth Brinkman and Bennett, Ella and Ramey Brinkman; Lee-Ann and Stephen Graham and their children Cal Henry and Bryan Graham; and Angie and Ford Sanger and their children, Nolan and Megan Sanger. He was preceded in death by his siblings, the late Robert Lee Wallace, brother, and Joan Brown, sister. Visitation will be Wednesday April 13, 2016 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Smith and Kernke N. May. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. The family asks that you remember Bill Wallace as your friend. He loved each and every one of you. Being a devout Catholic, Bill would be pleased if donations were made in his name. Send to Christ the King Catholic Church, 1905 Elmhurst Ave., Oklahoma City, Ok 73120.