A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph George Wallace of Purcell was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2024 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Purcell. Interment followed at Hillsde Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
The family received visitors from 3:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m.
Surrounded by his family, his tribe, Joe Wallace passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025. He was a proud and distinguished member of the Chickasaw Nation.
Born on June 1, 1943, his family moved to Purcell when Joe was very young. He began his education at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School where he attended through eighth grade. From there he attended Purcell High School and graduated with the class of 1961.
Joe’s work ethic was incredible, and from the time he was a boy he had a job. Even if it was cutting broom corn for change, it was a job and he didn’t take any job lightly. After working various part-time jobs through high school, he accepted a full-time position at Tinker AFB following his graduation, but his dream was to work and live in Purcell, to make a living and create a life for his family.
Thus began his career with Groothouse Plumbing and Electric, which eventually led him to create his own business, Wallace Plumbing and Electric. In addition to being self-employed full time, part-time and all the time for his customers, Joe served as a volunteer firefighter and later a driver for the Purcell Fire Department, out of love for his community. His work with the fire department escalated him to Fire Chief for a total of 21 years of service to the city he loved so much.
Though he was not in search of a third career, Joe was recruited by the Purcell School Superintendent to oversee the maintenance of electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems for the district. It was this job that led to his third and final retirement, 30 years later, as the District Director of Maintenance.
In his time away from work, Joe loved the outdoors and was particularly fond of hunting and fishing, which included the annual trip to Nebraska for pheasant hunting, boating and camping anywhere, but especially Lake Murray. There was not a job he couldn’t do, a machine he couldn’t fix or a project he couldn’t complete. Even in his last days, he was always working on something; a “fixer of everything.” He spent countless hours in his shop building, creating, and crafting gadgets and experiments such as shock boxes and zilches. (If you know, you know).
Anyone who knew Joe couldn’t imagine him without his other half, the love of his life, Angie Stephens. The two were inseparable, and he would be the first to say his life wouldn’t be complete without her. Wed on December 15, 1964, the two celebrated their 60th anniversary just before his passing.
Joe was a charismatic family man that loved a gathering or celebration of any kind, and his home was the oasis where friends and family were always welcome. He and Angie always made time to enjoy their girls, Cindy and Natalie, and anyone else who cared to join the fun. From summers on the lake, to backyard volleyball or badminton to card games or croquet, there was always an ample supply of food, drinks and laughter. Joe thrived in creating an environment where people gathered, and at times nearly half the town seemed to be on his doorstep as he told stories, shared antics, and made lifelong friends.
Though there were tough times in his life as well, Joe always persevered. Romans 5: 3-5 tells us, to also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us. Anyone who knew him witnessed his perseverance, determination, and integrity…... a tough man, a hard worker, a man of true character. Those who knew him well will remember the tenderness of his heart, and his grandchildren will remember their Joepa forever. His death ends his life, but it does not end the relationship he created with those he called his own.
Those he has left behind, to ‘learn to live without him’, include his wife, Angie; daughters, Natalie Wallace, Cindy McGowen and husband, Tim, and bonus daughter, Jennifer Bramlett; grandchildren, Blake McGowen, Bailee Martinez and husband, Daniel, Spencer Matthews and wife, Lee Ann, and Alexis Wenthold; great-grandchildren, Eli and Layla Matthews and Jozee and Maizee Martinez; brother, Mark Wallace; sister, Kateri Longacre and Aunt Shirley Washburn; in-laws, Agnes Wells, Mary Glover and Rob Stephens, and a plethora of others who loved him as Dad, Uncle Joe, and Joepa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Building Fund, Purcell.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.