Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Rufus Bill Wallace Jr., 74, of Oak Hill, WV left for his heavenly home on the morning of September 3, 2021 after a long illness.

Rufus was born June 1, 1947 in Lochgelly, WV to the late Rufus Bill Wallace Sr. and Vivian Gray Wallace. He was the eldest of eight children.

Rufus was a graduate of Mount Hope High School and a member of Derry Hale Baptist Church and later became a member of Kilsyth Baptist Church. Out of high school, Rufus B. Wallace Jr. joined the United States Army, where he served as a Green Beret in the United States Army Special Forces 105th special forces (Screaming Eagles). After serving two tours in the service he returned home and attended Bluefield State College. He was a retired employee of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Beckley, WV for 36 years. He then became a foster parent for children. Rufus was the most loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Rufus later married Denise Coy Wallace, who survives at their home. Love ones he left to cherish his memories are four children, Rufus Wallace III (Whitney), Timothy Rivers (Patricia), Yolanda Brown (Robert) and Sharia Brown; three step-children, LaToria Leonard, Jaqawn Coy and Deja Jones; nine grandchildren, Alisha, JoVare, Shane, Jahkai, Jahden, Kiana, Jahmace, Cameron, Cannon; ten step-grandchildren, DeAndre, Malik, JacQuel, DaVonte`, JaToria, Ouiten, Ethan, Raquell, Alexia, Senada; special grandchild, Amare; five great-grandchildren, Lyric, Au'Mourah, Braycen, Emelyn, Aria; four brothers, Larry Wallace (Sherrye), Rudolph Wallace (Maureen), Michael Wallace (Dee), and Richard Wallace (Venonia); three sisters, Valeria Glover (Gerald), Margo Christian (Jerry) and Vena Wallace and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Solid Rock Church 500 Highlawn Park Ave, Oak Hill with Dr. Jerry Staples officiating. Burial will be 11:00AM Monday, September 20, 2021 in Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Cemetery 130 Academy Dr. Dunbar.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.