William "Bill" E. Wallace

(The following obituary appeared in the Carteret County News-Times (Morehead City, NC) May 9, 2010 on page 3)

William "Bill" E. Wallace of Talihina, Okla., passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Talihina, Okla.

His memorial service is a 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the Croatan Church of Christ in New Bern. Interment will take place at the Newport town cemetery in a private ceremony at a later date.

He was born Sept. 17, 1928, in Hollywood, Calif., to a prominent gospel preacher: Foy E. Wallace, Jr., and his wife Virgie. A veteran of World War II, he met his wife Elva while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and theology from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory and was elected to Pi Kappa Delta fraternity. He served as a full-time gospel preacher for more than 60 years for congregations in Hickory, New Bern, Morehead City, Swansboro, and Newport; Geary, Asher, McAlester, Poteau, and Tahlequah, all in Oklahoma; Akron, Lisbon, and Salem, all in Ohio; Lufkin and Marshall, both in Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; Athens, Ala.; St. Louis. Mo.; and Clovis, N. M. In addition, he held numerous gospel meetings throughout the United States and was a frequent contributor to various Christian publications including a stint as editor of the Gospel Guardian. Upon his wife Elva's death in 1992, he continued to be the primary caregiver of his mother-in-law Daisy McCain of Newport until her death in 1998. Returning to his roots west of the Mississippi River, he preached until cancer curtailed full-time work. As a resident of the Oklahoma Veterans Center, he preached part-time in the area and help weekly Bible studies attended by other residents and local townspeople. He also wrote weekly articles for church bulletins. He was elected Resident of the Month and was a friend and counselor to both staff and residents. In an autobiography written for his daughter Becky, the last passage reads, "This old man is not going any further west, nor gazing in any earthly direction. I am looking upward."

"I will lift mine eyes until the hills, from whence cometh my help" Psalm 121.1.

He is survived by one daughter, Becky Book and husband Tommy of New Bern; one brother, Wilson Wallace of Killeen, Texas; and two sisters, Lee Ella Wallace of Yucca Valley, Calif., and Martha Jane Black of Fort Smith, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Elva McCain Wallace of Newport.

The family will receive visitors immediately afterward in their home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Veterans Center, P.O. Box 1168, Talihina, Okla. 74571, ATTN: William E. Wallace Memorial.

Local arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home of New Bern.