Millard Duane ‘Wally’ Wallace, 83, died peacefully on Friday, April 15 surrounded by loved ones at his Oakdale home.

He was born in Ava, Missouri to Sebastian and Ora (Pope) Wallace. The family moved to Lindsey, California in the early 1930s and settled in Stanislaus County in 1938, residing in Modesto, Ceres, and finally Oakdale in 1943.

He graduated from Oakdale High School where he was an accomplished athlete, lettering in football, baseball and track. It was here that he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Norwood.

Mr. Wallace was employed in the Fire Apparatus Industry in Oakdale for 47 years. He started with Van Pelt where he was a master painter and was given his nickname. He later transferred to FMC and finally worked at Hi-Tech Fire Apparatus where he was the parts room manager. He was an active volunteer firefighter for the City of Oakdale for 23 years.

He was an avid hunter, boater, and fisherman. He coached Little League, was a Cub Scout leader, and faithful attendee of Oakdale Christian Church.

His family is grateful and appreciative to the caregivers from Provident Care, as well as Community Hospice, for the compassion and care provided to him in the last weeks of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy; sons, Pastor Bob Wallace of Seattle, WA, Jerry Wallace of Jackson; daughter, Judy Shaffer of Oakdale; one brother; one sister; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers; one sister; and one great-granddaughter, Gabby.

Visitation was held April 19 at the Oakdale Memorial Chapel. A celebration of life service will be at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 held at Oakdale Christian Church, 330 Maxwell Ave.