Doyle H. Wallace

Doyle H. Wallace passed away peacefully Jan. 27, 2023, at Unity Health in Searcy. He was born July 26, 1930, to Chester and Edith Wallace of Bald Knob, Arkansas. He is survived by three children, Terri Wallace Miller (Paul) of Bald Knob, Kim Wallace (Kellie) of Sarasota, FL and Mike W. Wallace of Little Rock. Grandchildren; Jason, Amanda, Olivia and Amelia. Great grandchildren: Ana, Lynlee, Tessa, Ainslee, Eli & Savannah. He is preceded in death by wife, Betty, son Gary Alan, daughter Lisa Kay, his parents, brother Chester (Junior) and sister Maxine. Excelling in athletics at Bald Knob High School, Wallace received a scholarship from Southern State College in Magnolia (SAU) and was a 4 year letterman with All-AIC honors. While there, he met and married fellow student Nelda Ruth Whalen (Magnolia). While in college, Wallace joined the Air Force during the Korean War (1951-1954) and accumulated a 19-1 light-heavyweight boxing record. He then returned to Southern State, graduating with a BS in Education (56). He also received his Masters in Education from State Teachers College (UCA) in 1962. Wallace was inducted into the Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Upon graduation, he returned to his hometown twice as head coach of the Bald Knob Bulldogs (1957-60) & (1967-70). With a 10-1 record, Wallace led the 1968 Bulldogs to its first & only Football State Championship. He also formed the first AAU boxing program. He was twice selected as a member of the Arkansas All-Star football staff. Between stints, Wallace was head football coach of the Haynesville, LA, Golden Tornadoes. In 1970, Wallace joined Arkansas Tech University’s football/baseball staff. He began his 40 plus year insurance career in Arkadelphia as District Manager for Fidelity Union Life. He was a multi-year national sales leader ultimately building The Wallace Insurance Agency until 2016. Also, while in Arkadelphia, Wallace was named head golf coach at Henderson State University (1980-1991) all volunteered time. He led the Reddies to consecutive AIC Championships from 1985-89 & NAIA District Championships from 1984-89. He was inducted into the Reddie Hall of Honor in 2000. Wallace returned to his beloved hometown of Bald Knob in 1991. He served as Mayor for 10 total years, leading the public funding to replace existing city water lines, focusing efforts/expansion of the City Sports Complex and BK Animal Shelter facilities. Served as President of the Bald Knob Veterans Memorial Wall & Museum and was a Founding Member of the Bald Knob Country Club. Coach Wallace to many, but simply dad to the kids. His love was unconditional, with a tender heart for all things family and his beloved Golden Retrievers. He was a member of the Worden Baptist Church. A visitation will be held Saturday at the Worden Baptist Church, 1321 Hwy 64E in Bald Knob, from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, February 18. Memorial service begins at 2pm, with a family reception immediately following. Family would like to thank the staff at Woodruff County Health Center for six years of care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that online donations in honor/memory be made to: Bald Knob Public Education Foundation. www.baldknobschools.org Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob - Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Doyle H. Wallace

July 26, 1930 - January 27, 2023