Obituary of William Taylor Wallace , 76

Bill Wallace, 76, of Pleasant Gap died on Sunday June 20 while recovering from surgery for colon cancer. He was born in Huntingdon, the son of the late Ruth and Harris Wallace, and graduated from Huntingdon High School in 1951.

Bill was the Goldsmith and Jeweler for Moyer Jewelers in State College for the past 24 years. Previously, he held the same position at Crabtree Jewelers for over 25 years, and won numerous national awards and competitions for diamond design. Bill was a talented, self-taught craftsman who worked tirelessly to improve his skills as well as experiment with new techniques. He was a member of the American Gem Society and held the title of Registered Jeweler.

He enjoyed all types of music, football, hockey, and especially Lady Lion Basketball.

He believed strongly in giving help and hope to others. One of his friends said 'Bill could see the missing pieces of a person, and then helped fill in the gaps'. Since finding his own sobriety in the mid 1980's, he spent most of his free time paying it forward. For over 20 years, he volunteered with alcohol treatment facilities, hospitals, county jails, and state prisons. A colleague noted that Bill never hesitated to serve those who society had either given up on or forgotten. In 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized him as the Department of Corrections Volunteer of the Year for his work with inmates in the state prison system.

In addition to his friends and co-workers, Bill is survived by his daughter Laurie Wallace and her husband Kenon Smith of Maryland, his brother Stephen Wallace and wife Jeannine of Tennessee, his former wife Joyce Gray Wallace of State College, and his two cats Oliver and Sox.

Friends will be received 6-7 pm, Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to one of Bill's favorite charities which provides assistance to low-income pet owners: Animal Advocates of Howard County, PO Box 1403, Ellicott City MD 21041.

A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.