Billy Jack Wallace

Billy Jack Wallace, 87, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2015 at his home in Abilene, TX. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Joe Welsh officiating. Billy Jack was born in Duster, TX to JW & Odessa Clementine Boozer Wallace on February 9, 1927. He attended school in Lueders, TX and married his sweetheart Dorsie Bell Jamar on November 3, 1946 in Abilene. He joined the Marines during WWII and served as a gunner on anti-tank weapons. After his time with the military, he spent the next 43 years in Venezuela working first with Haliburton, and then ultimately managing all of the Eastern Venezuelan holdings for BJ Hughes. Throughout his life and retirement, Billy Jack loved to go fishing; whether he was catching exotic fish near Caracas or hooking bass out at the tank, he loved spending that time with his family and relaxing with his rod and reel. He was a man of his word; humble, honest, and giving; never thinking of himself, but always sacrificing for others first; always stoic, with a wry smile on his face, and a quick joke giving way to an even quicker wit. Tough as nails and stubborn as any old cowboy; he had a storied life and he made sure he enjoyed it with friends and family. His kind soul will be dearly missed by all of us who remember him, love him, and will forever keep him in our hearts. Billy Jack was preceded in death by his parents, JW and Odessa Wallace, his brother Jamie Wallace, his sister Betty Sue Moore, his wife Dorsie, and son Billy Jim. He is survived by daughter, Clara and her spouse, Steve Ricco of Abilene; sisters, Ouida Wallace of Tucson, AZ and Mary Beth Dobrow of Lakewood, WA; daughter-in-law, Sistie Wallace; five grandchildren, Lauren Wallace-Mendoza of Hutto, TX; Andrew Wallace of Lubbock, TX; Caitlin Wallace, Blair Wallace, and Cameron Wallace of Abilene; three great-grandchildren, Micah, Alicia, and Mateo Mendoza; and nieces and nephews through many family members. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org) or the American Heart Association, P O Box 5616, Abilene, TX 79608. The family of Billy Jack Wallace wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Harlen/Girling Home Health Care and Hendrick Hospice Care.