Willie B. Wallace Jr.

Willie B. Wallace, Jr. (Buddy) of San Antonio, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, 2021. He was number two of sixteen children born to Willie B. Wallace, Sr. and Nellie Wallace on March 10, 1935. Willie graduated from Bard High School in Youngstown, Ohio after which he joined the U.S. Army in May 1954. He attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was assigned to Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama. His next assignment was Germany, as a gunner, with the 9th Infantry Division.

In October 1957, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado as the Division Commander’s driver. In December of 1957, Willie attended Airborne Training and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. After another stint in Germany, he returned to the 82nd Airborne Division as a Tactical Communications Chief. In 1959, he was selected for Special Forces, as a weapons and medical expert, deploying to Vietnam four times with the 5th Special Forces as a weapons expert from 1960-1970. In between Vietnam combat tours, he attended the Army Language School (Spanish) and was assigned the 8th Special Forces Group, Panama, as an instructor at Jungle Warfare School. In 1970, he returned from his final Vietnam tour and was assigned as First Sergeant. He deployed to Okinawa, Japan in July 1974, where he served as Sergeant Major of Troop Command, US Army Medical Activity. Following Japan, he arrived at Fort McPherson, Georgia, as Senior Medical NCO, until January 1977. There he attended the US Army Sergeant Major Academy and retired from the United States Army January 1, 1982, after 28 years of service.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, German Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Air Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Ribbon and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

On August 21, 1967, he married Clara B. Wallace. To this union, two children were born: Willie III and Courtney. Willie and Clara were married for over 50 years.

Following his highly decorated military career, he took on the active role of stay-at-home dad at the helm of a busy household. He was very active in his community, his church, the U.S. Army veteran community, and participated in many charitable initiatives. Additionally, he supported his late wife, Clara B. Wallace’s military career until her retirement.

He is survived by his son Willie (Trey) B. Wallace III (Jennifer) of Chesapeake, Virginia; daughter Courtney E. Wallace (Raphael) of St. Hedwig, Texas; brothers Elliott, Nathaniel, Malone, and sisters, Patricia, Lois, Carlotta, Sylvia, and Rutha; three granddaughters Sydney, Ava, and Abigail; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers Wilbert, Artis, Jimmy, Lonnie, Donnie, and sisters Loretta and Gail.

In lieu of florals, memorial contributions may be made by check to: Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter, 6436 Fannin St., Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77030 or by Zelle to [email protected] . For either method, designate on check memo or Zelle memo: “Dr. Clara B. Wallace Scholarship Fund”.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 N Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas,78232. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 9:00am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #4, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas,78234.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Wallace family.