William "Bill" Creekmore Wallace, 86, of Pryor, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2005.

Bill was born Oct. 29, 1918 in Sapulpa to Creekmore Wallace and Corrine Lydia Gibson Wallace. Bill graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City in the class of 1936. He went on to earn a Doctor of Law from Oklahoma City University in 1952, and continued his education at OU, TU and Arkansas University. He married Wilma M. Richardson on Jan. 13, 1943 in Savanna, Ga. They celebrated more than 62 years of marriage. Bill faithfully served his country in the Army and Army Air Corp. during World War II attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving from Feb. 4, 1940 until he retired in 1971. He took his first solo flight in 1938. Bill was still active in the Air Force retired reserve and was a member of the VFW. He worked in various pilot positions, including production test pilot and experimental pilot, going into aircraft sales. He worked as sales manager for Jet Commander in Oklahoma City from 1952 until 1973. Bill delivered an Aero Commander plane to the King of Belgium and taught His Majesty to fly it.

He became a member of the Unity Church of Christianity in 1981. Bill moved to Pryor in 1985, where he was self employed as a real estate broker and homebuilder. To say that Bill loved Billie and flying would be a great understatement. He was a wonderful husband and father who leaves a legacy of adventure and a life lived to its fullest for his family to cherish for generations to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Creekmore Wallace and Corrine Lydia Gibson Wallace.

Bill is survived by his wife, Wilma "Billie," of the home; two sons William Creekmore Wallace, II, of Sapulpa, and Richard Graham Wallace, of Fayetteville, Ark.; three sisters Sara Elizabeth Richard, of Lawton, Margaret Clair Dollarhide, of Muskogee, and Patricia Corrine Favor, of Tulsa; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005 in the Unity Church of Christianity at 35th and Jamestown, in Tulsa, with the Rev. Culliver Brookman officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Jim Green Funeral Home.

Complied and transcribed by Marti Graham, 2010.