Billy Wayne Wallis

OKLAHOMA CITY — Bill Wallis, our wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away on August 9, 2024, in Guthrie, OK due to complications with Covid.

He was born to Porter and Mattie Wallis in Hillsboro, TX where he was raised with three brothers and a sister. At a very young age he developed a strong work ethic walking the streets of Hillsboro shouting “ice for sale” which sounded like “ice for hell.” He, of course, made several nickels and dimes with that sales pitch which made him quite the entrepreneur. In 1950, he captured the heart of the love of his life, Georgia Drake of McKinney, TX. They celebrated 71 years together before she passed in 2021.

After residing in Tyler, TX for 62 years, they moved to OKC in 2017 to be closer to family. Bill always lived a faith-based life and soon found a great fit with Memorial Road Church of Christ. Through the church he joined the extremely talented singing group “Sonlight Singers” with Monday weekly performances, and he was active with the men’s coffee church group on Wednesdays. Bill’s mind was always active and stayed engaged by playing dominoes/cards or avidly working on a puzzle with his friends at Town Village.

Before dedicating his time to Christian Homes and Family Services, Bill enjoyed a distinguished career in the utility and communications industries. His commitment to public service was evident during his eight-year tenure as a Smith County Commissioner. During this time, he was honored with an appointment to a six-year term on the Board of the Texas County and District Retirement System.

Bill found his greatest fulfillment as the Director of Development for Christian Services, where he was devoted to fund-raising and friend-raising. Christian Services was likely his most personally rewarding contribution as so many children and families benefited from this service. In 2015, Bill and wife, Georgia, were honored at the Champion for Children dinner where a new endowment was created, the “Wallis Adoption Fund,” to help financially needy couples adopt.

Aside from his passion for family, Bill’s legacy is rooted in his civic contributions, having helped raise millions of dollars while serving as President for the Kiwanis Clubs in Richardson and Tyler, President of the YMCA, and Board Member for United Way and the East Texas Food Bank.

He is survived by his son, Steve, and wife, Tricia, of Edmond, OK; three grandchildren: Chris Wallis of San Marcos, TX; Courtney Shaw and husband, Bret, of Clive, IA; and Colby Wallis and wife, Sloane, of Houston, TX; three great-grandsons, Beckett, Barrett, and Blaine; two great-granddaughters, Sutton and Carter; his sister-in-law, Sara Simpson; and many nephews and nieces.

Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to the compassionate and loving staff at Mercy Guthrie Hospital. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Wallis Adoption Fund at Christian Homes, www.christianhomes.com. Graveside services will be held at Cathedral in the Pines in Tyler, TX on Saturday Oct. 12 at 10:00 a.m.