Don Wallace

Don Louis “Wally” Wallace passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 surrounded by his wife, & sons after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Lynn Frank Wallace, mother, Gladys Wallace (Nelson), brother, Nelson Wallace, sister Dorothy Mae Wallace (Wile), & sisters-in-law, Wanda Wallace (Spencer), Carol Ann Wallace (Kovac), father-in-law Thomas Joyner, brother-in-law Donnie Joyner, dear friends Kenneth Vaughn, Bob MacLaren, Greg McBride, & beloved golden retrievers, Casey & Boomer. 

Don is survived by his wife of 36 years, Tina (Joyner), who was his dedicated, heroic caregiver for the last years of his life; brother, Richard ‘Dick’ Wallace, his sons, Ryan Wallace & Cory Wallace, daughters-in-law Ashley Wallace (Burress) and Colleen Wallace (Carrick), grandson Dawson Wallace, mother-in-law Marjorie Joyner (Roselle), brothers-in-law, James Joyner, Anthony Joyner, Guy Joyner, & Larry Young; sisters-in-law Kathy Young (Joyner), Diana Joyner (Ritchie), Stephanie Joyner (Velka), Cindy Newell,:& many beloved nieces & nephews.

He was a graduate of Springfield High School (‘68) and Hiram College (‘72). He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at both institutions after a stellar career as a Quarterback on the football team and 3rd baseman on the baseball team. 

Voted by his classmates as ‘Mr. Springfield’, he cemented himself as a staple of his community, teaching Calculus at Springfield High School for over 40 years. Amongst countless other contributions, he organized a talent show with teachers performing throughout - The Faculty Follies - that raised thousands of dollars toward scholarships each year for Springfield graduates. Naturally, the shows were headlined by the world-famous ‘Wally & the Studs’. 

Don will be remember fondly by anyone that had the pleasure to know him. His contributions have already and will continue to impact the communities he served in, the students he impacted, his friends, & his family. 

“Once a stud, always a stud”

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff that cared for Don in the ICU unit at Summa Health City Hospital in Akron.

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A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 at 2pm at Springfield High School in Akron, OH. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Don Wallace Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be made out to ‘The Don Wallace Memorial Scholarship’ and sent to Springfield High School (1880 Canton Road; Akron, OH 44312).