William (Mike) Wallace |
| Posted 2016-02-10 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, February 10, 2016 William “Mike” Wallace, 68, of Wickenburg passed away Jan. 28 in the presence of family and loved ones after a 10-month valiant battle with cancer. Mike was born July 30, 1947, in Logan, W.V., and was proceeded in death by his mother Hester Becket Wallace and father Lewis Wallace. Mike is survived by his wife Carol Griffith Wallace; two sons Robert (Michelle) Wallace and Michael Wallace; and seven grandchildren, Codie (Thomas) Duke, Michael Jr., Casey, Jeremiah, Brenda, Lestat and Lewis; along with one great-grandchild, Eleanor. Mike is also survived by his two sisters Wanda (Frank) Scott and Madeline Treadwell, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mike moved to Dayton, Ohio when he was 6-years old. He attended Wilbur Wright High School where he met his wife of 49 years. After high school Mike enlisted into the Navy, spent a year in avionics school in Memphis, Tenn., then was stationed at North Island Naval Station near San Diego. In 1969 Mike moved his wife and two sons to Phoenix and took employment with Sperry Flight Systems. Later, he went to work for Arizona Booth and Fixture where he met his two future business partners Gary Morcomb and Tom Wallace, his uncle, and eventually ventured into partnership at MWM. Mike left MWM in 1994 to continue experiencing the many facets life had to offer and moved to Wickenburg. There he was an active member with the Lions Club, Elks Lodge, American Legion, and Chamber of Commerce. In 1996, Mike took over the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival where he enjoyed making music and making new friends. Mike was also a volunteer signing in participants and MC at the start of the Wickenburg Gold Rush Days Parade. Mike was also a major organizer in getting the new portable stage for Wickenburg, which has been enjoyed during most of Wickenburg’s many festivals. Mike enjoyed a variety of sports, from playing high school basketball, to playing softball for the 11th Naval District team and was also the table-tennis champion for the 11th Naval District. He was an avid bowler, bowled for the 11th Naval District as well as competing at state and regional on several occasions, and even won the interest of the Pro Bowlers Association when he took the Ohio Jr. state championship in 1965. Mike loved music from playing baritone in the Wilbur Wright high school marching band with his future wife Carol, to playing guitar, singing, banjo, and started learning how to play the mandolin a little over six years ago. There really wasn’t anything Mike didn’t enjoy doing. He loved taking on new things he had never tried before, and learning all he could. Playing horseshoes – expert/hustler; hunting, bass fishing, archery, golf, and pool hustler. Mike was a lifetime member of ABA – Arizona Bow Hunter’s Association and member of Arizona Bluegrass Association. He was also a Dutch oven aficionado, enjoyed building doll houses for granddaughters, drafting, drawing, scuba diving, skiing, and playing video games with the grandkids. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Wickenburg Community Center. Family and friends are welcome to stay after for a celebration of life with good food, good music and good friends. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to contribute to the Bluegrass festival (Chamber of Commerce) or Wickenburg Community Hospital in his name. David’s Desert Chapel is handling arrangements. |
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