Wallace Earl Somerset

Wallace Earl Somerset, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 1, 2022 in Mobile, Alabama. He was born on November 13, 1943 to Ralph and Nettie Ruth Somerset in Panama City Beach, Florida. Wally was a mechanic from the time he was born until the time he left this earth. Even when he wasn’t working – one would be hard-pressed not to find him constantly tinkering on something. Wally enjoyed go-kart racing with his son, Joshua, and loved watching NASCAR races. He liked watching his stories: Bold and the Beautiful, Young and the Restless, basically any soap opera, but he also let his rugged side show when he watched his beloved Westerns, especially if they starred John Wayne. Wally was a low-key, low-maintenance guy with a very kind and thoughtful heart. Out of everything he enjoyed and loved in life, it was his family he cared about the most – and Alabama football (Roll Tide!). Wally was a wonderful man, and will be greatly missed.

Wally was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 46 years, Shirlene Perkins Somerset; son, Wallace E. Somerset, Jr.; his parents; two brothers, Harry Somerset and Jerry Somerset; and a sister, Joan Glass.

He is survived by his daughters, Toni VanRijs (Ron) and Bobbi Somerset York (Heath); one son, Joshua Somerset (Tonya); grandchildren, Jordin Holmes, Aaden VanRijs, Makenzie Looney, Rylee Estes, Jaxon Somerset, Tyler York (Elizabeth), Erin York, Kayla York, and Stephanie Somerset; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Somerset Bielicki; a special niece, Lisa Benson; his champion of the world, his Chihuahua, Petey; as well as other nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.

A short visitation for Wally will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, Alabama, with a Celebration of Life immediately after.

Wally was such a generous man, that his last act on this earth was to give the gift of hope and life by being an organ donor through Legacy of Hope. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the organization, or that you yourself may consider becoming an organ donor.