Obituary of Willliam Richard Wallace

William “Uncle Richard” Wallace Sr. (70) resident of St Maries, ID died August 22, 2016 at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He was born February 2, 1946 to William L. and Kathryn (Tomln) Wallace at Long Beach, CA. Richard grew up in Orange County, CA. He graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School with the class of 1964. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and served two tours in Vietnam where he received two Purple Heart commendations for wounds received in combat. He was discharged in 1972 and moved to Michigan where he worked for General Motors. In the late 1970’s Richard moved to Hamilton, MT where he worked as a smoke jumper and fire fighter for the U.S. Forest Service and served in the Montana National Guard. In 1985 Richard moved to Southern California and continued to work as a fire fighter. Around 1987 he went to work at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station as a guided missile technician. Richard took medical retirement in 1998. Richard had several marriages that ended in divorce. He moved to St. Maries in 1996. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and “running amok”. He enjoyed playing softball, volleyball, and coaching womens softball teams. He was a former member of the St. Maires American Legion Post # 25. Richard is survived by his close friends Rob and Jessica Lockridge of St Maries; sons Leonard Wallace of Michigan, Roger Montesanto of Great Falls, MT, and Richard Wallace Jr. of Albuquerque, NM; and daughter Cynthia Reeves of Bullhead City, AZ. Richard is also survived by his brother Donald Gooden of Santa, ID, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 2 nieces, 3 nephews, 1 great niece, and 1 great nephew. He was preceded in death by his daughter Debbie Wallace, brother Charles Wallace, and sister Carolyn Zimnicki. Graveside services will be Friday, August 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, ID. Military honors will be rendered by St. Maries American Legion Post # 25. A gathering of family friends will follow at the St. Maries Eagles Lodge.