Joseph Homer Wallace Jr., age 90, of West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 4, 2026. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 15, 1936 to the late Joseph Homer Wallace Sr. and Mary Olive Jenkins Wallace.
He shared almost 62 years of marriage with his wife, Shirley Ann, whom he loved deeply and whose death in 2020 was a profound loss. Together they raised a large family, and Joe left pieces of himself throughout it.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Mary Flynn and Wilma Bagg, his wife, Shirley, and 2 great-grandchildren.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1958. After his military service he spent many years as a motor coach driver, traveling countless miles across the country. Driving became such a part of who he was that some who loved him continued to call him “Driver.” His work took him far from home, but travel also became part of family life: his wife and children would pile into the car and meet him in different places along the way.
For 56 years, Joe called West Sunbury home. Beside his home, Joe had a garage full of tools and a woodworking shop. He knew how to do an uncommon number of things with his own hands, and he passed that knowledge, and the stubborn determination behind it, on to his children. In his family, the instinct to repair something rather than replace it remains unmistakably his. Joe’s traits became skills they carried into their own lives and passed along again.
Joe was also an avid fisherman. He fished local streams and ponds and traveled farther when the opportunity arose – fish far and wide came to fear him. Joe fished well into his 80s and remained stubbornly himself to the end. His family will remember the miles traveled, the water fished, the things built and repaired, the lessons passed from one pair of hands to another.
He is survived by his children Catherine (Don) Roberts, Lorraine Postlewate, Dawn (Michael) Earnest, William (Holly) Wallace, Shirley (Thomas) Lindsey, and Curtis (Cindi Converso) Wallace; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
1 Comment
I have very good memories of Joe! He is always so kind and drove me seven hours to home when I was just young and thought nothing of it. I stayed with him and Shirley for a while when they lived in Alexandria Virginia. I learned a lot, and they were so nice to me. He was a very talented woodworker. I am sure that he will be missed by many that love him so much!
Add Comment