William R. Wallace, Jr.

POTTSVILLE - William R. Wallace, Jr., 83, of Pottsville died Saturday at his home. Born in Pottsville, on September 14, 1925, he was the son of the late William R. Wallace Sr., and Margaret Fisher Wallace. He was a 1943 graduate of Pottsville High School, where his nickname was "Porky". He was a veteran of the Navy, serving his country as a Fireman 1st class from 1943 until 1946. During his naval tour he served aboard the USS O'Toole. In 1941, he met his wife, the late Elizabeth "Bette" S. Shaw Wallace, who died January 5, 2007. They were married October 26, 1946. Their love is as big as "All the bushels in the world". Bill was formerly employed by Aetna Steel, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., the American General Life Insurance Co., and until retiring, he was the owner of the H & R Block franchise in Pottsville. Bill was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend to so very many. He coached youth sport teams for many years at the St. Francis Orphanage, Orwigsburg, with numerous undefeated seasons and championships. He also served as Vice President of Schuylkill County Habitat for Humanity, was the recipient of The President's Club award at MetLife, a Life Long Member of the United Methodist Church serving on many boards, and the churches ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eat Out), an Outdoor World Camping Association, avid RV Traveler who toured the country with his wife and family. Bill instructed an electrical class for the 4 H club. He was an avid golfer and played in the Hidden Valley Senior Golf League and played church league softball in his youth; he fished and hunted with his son and a childhood friend, Nate DePauli. In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was preceded in death by two sisters, Marion Young and Esther Stabnau. Surviving Bill are: a son William R. Wallace III and his wife Jo Hannah, Pauls Valley, OK; a daughter, Sharon and her husband Steven Wenrich, Schuylkill Haven; four grandchildren, Kippy Bratcher, Indiana, Erin Wallace Ireland, Marienville, PA, Shawna Wenrich, Philadelphia and Stefanie Wenrich, Schuylkill Haven; three grandchildren, Jeremy Storey, Jerika Wayman and Dylan Matthew William Wallace Ireland; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 7:30 PM from the First United Methodist Church, 4th & W. Market St., Pottsville. The Rev. Storm Hutchinson will officiate. Family and friends may call at the church from 6:30-7:30 PM Thursday. The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., 6th & W. Market St., Pottsville, is handling the arrangements. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 4th & W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901.