William B. Wallace

He was born September 5, 1923, in Barnesburo, Pennsylvania, to William and Dorothy Ruth (Cheney) Wallace. In 1929, his mom, aunt and cousin moved to Long Beach, California, where he helped support his family until enlisting in the Coast Guard at the beginning of WWII. He married Olivia Halone in June, 1945, and following his discharge from the Coast Guard, continued his education at UCLA, where he received his BS degree in electrical engineering. He was later employed by the Otis Elevator company where he held a progression of management positions in San Francisco, Seattle, Hawaii, New York and Latin America, before retiring in 1983 with 35 years of service. While district manager in Seattle, during the early 60’s, he had occasion to ride on top of the Space Needle elevator cab in a “white knuckle” inspection to the very top.

He and Olivia enjoyed playing golf and were, for a time, members of Mid-Pacific Golf and Country Club in Honolulu, Ridgewood golf and Country Club in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Ft. Lauderdale Golf and Country Club in Florida, Atlantis Golf club in Florida and Sunland Golf and Country Club in Sequim. He was able to complete many detailed wooden carvings of a variety of birds until suffering from vision loss.

While working in Seattle, he was a member of the Washington Athletic Club and the Rainier club. He was a past member of the Rotary Clubs of Seattle and Honolulu. He was a member of various Presbyterian churches in California, Washington and Hawaii. During the late 50’s and early 60’s, he was both Cub and Boy Scoutmaster.

He was preceded in transition by his wife, Olivia, who cooked him bacon and eggs for breakfast for many years.

Survivors are his sons, James of Grayland, Washington and Bruce of Bainbridge Island, Washington; grandson, William of Bainbridge Island.

At his request, no services are scheduled for William, age 95 years.