John Woodley Wallace Sr. 's Obituary
John Woodley Wallace, Sr. was born December 20, 1926 in Huntersville, NC. He died on January 21, 2019 at his home. He was the son of Matthew Brevard (Daddy Bub) Wallace, Sr. and Alma Oehler Wallace. He was a graduate of Huntersville High School in 1944. He married his sweetheart, Betty Belk Wallace on November 23, 1944 and they celebrated their 74th anniversary last November.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Belk Wallace and His son, John Woodley Wallace, Jr. (Shelby) of Huntersville, NC and his daughters: Myra Wallace Billings (Steve) of Huntersville, NC and Lisa W Koroskenyi (Tom) of Concord, NC. There are 9 grandchildren: Melanie W. Hayes (Ed) of New Hampshire; Eric Taylor Wallace (Michelle) of Concord, NC; Heather W. Bridwell (Jason) of Jupiter, Florida; Mandy Billings Thacker (Ken) of Charlotte, NC; Jenny Billings of Concord, NC; Steven J Billings (Lauren) of Mooresville, NC; Robert Dustin (Dusty) Kiser (Meagan) of Winterville, NC; Amber Kiser Dove (Jason) of Huntersville, NC and Travis Kiser (Tracy) of Pensacola, Florida. There are 13 Great Grandchildren: Ian Thacker, Cooper Billings, Grace Billings, Carter Kiser, Brinley Kiser, Ashley Wallace, Trevor Wallace, Ethan Hayes, Brooke Hayes, Megan Bridwell, Daniel Dove, Andrew Dove, and Ellie Dove.Woodley is also survived by many special nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Brevard Wallace, Sr. and Alma Oehler Wallace; brothers: Clyde Wallace, M. B. Wallace, Jr., Robert Wallace; Sisters: Henrietta (Gus) Barnett and Jean W. Entrekin Abernathy.
In 1945, he helped establish M.B. Wallace and Sons Dairy Farm with co-owners: his father, Matthew Brevard Wallace, Sr. and his brother: Robert Wallace. Following the death of his Dad and retirement of his brother in 1975 he became the sole owner of Wallace Farm along with co-workers – son, Johnny and nephew, Fred Entrekin until 1990. Woodley closed the dairy and started a soil composting business with son, Johnny. Upon retirement, his son and grandson, Eric Wallace continued to operate the business. Woodley was a lifetime member of Prosperity Presbyterian Church. He served as a deacon and an elder. He was a director of Farm Credit Service, chairman of Board of Directors of Piedmont Production Credit Association, Director of Farmers Home Administration, President of North Mecklenburg Farmers Association, Director on the N.C. Dairy Foundation in Raleigh, NC Woodley was on the Advisory Board of Federal Intermediate Bank of Columbia, S.C. He was a member of NC Farm Bureau. He was also President of the N.C. Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). Woodley was honored to be named Distinguished Dairy man of N.C. of the Year in 1980. Woodley was such a legacy to his family. He was a man of great faith and loved his creator, his family and enjoyed riding over his farm land on his Kawasaki mule. He loved his years of running his dogs on his land called “Foxtrot Ridge” where hunters gathered to hear their dogs run and swap stories. He loved his miniature horses that so many in the community stopped to feed and enjoy. He was a ‘Ford’ man and collected antique Fords in his own personal show room. He even enjoyed owning condos called Shalimar at Cherry Grove Beach for a period of time and then a home there also. After leaving the soil business to his son, Johnny and grandson, Eric, he and daughter, Myra Billings started Woodley Wallace Properties where he worked to develop Sinclair Place, Madison Park and worked with a dear friend, John Coley to sell land to begin the development called Skybrook. Woodley was an amazing business man and mentioned during his last few weeks how the Lord had given him a great business mind with only an eleventh grade education. He also owns two Rite Aids that recently have become Walgreens. He was never afraid to step out and try something new and was always such a visionary in business and life. He praised the Lord for being blessed during his lifetime. He challenged each of us to work hard, be honest and encouraged each of us to trust in God and trust Him throughout our lives. The Woodley Wallace Family thanks all of you for your love and support through the years. He felt so loved by so many. We are truly blessed.The family would like to thank his daughter, Myra Billings for the tireless care she has shown him in his final days.
Memorials may be made to Prosperity Presbyterian Church, Novant Hospice or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday, January 25 at James Funeral Home in Huntersville.
The funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, January 26 at Hickory Grove North Campus (Event Center) with a private burial to follow at Prosperity Presbyterian Church.
James Funeral Home is serving the family.
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