- Date Of Birth: October 6, 1922
- Date Of Death: July 19, 2011
- State: Texas
Joseph Wallace, October 6, 1922 – July 19, 2011.
Joseph Calvin Wallace October 6, 1922 – July 19, 2011 Joseph (Joe) Calvin Wallace was born on the Wallace Family farm in Belton, Texas on October 6, 1922 and passed away on the same land where he was born on July 19, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Clay and Vivian Wallace, grandchild Matthew Scott Wallace, and brother-in-law Reverend Robert Schwane.
Joe married Virginia Ann Schwane on June 5, 1948 and fondly referred to Virginia as “his first wife”. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary with family and friends on June 5, 2011. Joe and Virginia built their own and first home in Irving, Texas in 1948. They had a beautiful relationship and raised five children. Joe is survived by Virginia and children and their families. James Christopher Wallace and wife Diana and children Kimberly, Amanda, Jack and John; Mary Katherine and husband John Harris, children John David, Robert Dylan and Sarah Elizabeth; Sharon Elizabeth and husband Phil Brewer and their son Chase; Suzanne Michelle and husband MSG Warner “Tex” Stadler and children John, Jayson and Frederick; and son Robert Joseph Wallace.
Joe enjoyed watching his family grow with the addition of great grand children: D’Anna, Da’Sean, Devyn, Jack Jr., and Miranda. Joe is also survived by sister-in-law Sister Karen Schwane, OSU; his brother Henry Wallace and wife Aliceanne and daughters Laura and Christine. Joe served in World War II as an air crew member in the Army Air Force participating in the following campaigns: Air Offensive Japan, China Defensive, Philippines Liberation, Luzon, Western Pacific, and Air Combat over Borneo. His awards and decorations included the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, Asia Pacific Campaign Medal with six Bronze Stars, Victory Ribbon and Air Crew Member Badge. At the end of the war he was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Joe joined the Navy Reserves in June 1950 and served again on active duty during the Korean War from February 1951 to December 1952 as an Aviation Electronicsman.
He was quick to share with family and friends stories of his experience in the Pacific Rim as a radio operator and navigator. He donated several photos and artifacts from WWII to the Nimitz Museum in Fredricksburg; including a photo of the Japanese surrender. He mastered Morse code at an early age receiving his operator license in his senior year of high school. He continued to practice the art throughout his life as a ham radio operator. Ask any of Joe’s kids and they can tell you his operator number was W5KMU. Recently, Joe tapped out a very sweet code to Virginia, I love you’. Joe and Virginia enjoyed traveling together. They journeyed to Mexico on several occasions, to Europe, the Holy Land and took several cruises. Joe and Virginia also explored parts of the USA through Elderhostel excursions. Scouting was a passion for Joe.
He and Virginia were Scouting Masters in Irving and Waco and traveled with the kids to Camp Philmont for leadership training in 1965. He continued to support the scout troops in Belton and Temple by providing camp-ground space on the Wallace family farm. A graduate of the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in electrical engineering; Joe had a successful engineering career at General Electric, Westinghouse and retired from Brazos Electric Coop in 1986. Joe loved the Spanish language and volunteered to assist students in English as a second language classes. He would remind the family to turn off the lights, “la luz”, to go with God “via con Dios” and to live life “viva la vida”. He was an artist and could whip out a sketch on any medium (even a kitchen napkin) explaining the wonders of electricity, complex math concepts, the workings of computers and televisions or a simple hidden treasure map for the grand kids to follow.
He had a wonderful sense of humor; for example he would tell his family and friends that he was six foot tall with a head full of hair before he had kids. We thank Joe for teaching us to be respectful of others and to honor the uniqueness and diversity that each of us bring to this world. He was a friend to all that he met. His quick wit and calm demeanor will be remembered as well as his love of God, family and country. A devout Catholic, Joe loved his church and practiced his faith in God and displayed his convictions in his actions.
