Obituaries: Judge William M. Wallace, 1934, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: December 14, 1934 Winnfield News-American Funeral Rites For Judge Wallace Held Here Thurs. Succumbs To Influenza Attack Tuesday In Shreveport Home Funeral services for Judge William M. Wallace, formerly of Winnfield, were held here Thursday afternoon at three o'clock at the first Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Finley W. Tinnin of Shreveport, assisted by B. C. Land and Rev. Alwin Stokes, pastors of local churches, and interment was made in the Winnfield Cemetery. Judge Wallace died at his home in Shreveport Tuesday night following an attack of influenza, although he had been in failing health for a number of years. His condition became grave Sunday afternoon and the immediate members of the family were called to his bedside. He has a host of friends throughout the state to whom his death is a distinct shock. Born in Winn Parish January 29, 1879, the son of the late James T. Wallace and the late Ollie Peters Wallace, and one of the thirteen children born to them, grew to young manhood attending the public schools of this section and later completing his law course at Tulane University before he reached his twenty- first birthday. Soon after graduation he took up the practice of law with his father forming the firm of Wallace and Wallace and his success was immediate and notable. Early in his professional life he became interested in politics and was elected to membership on the state board of equalization from Winn Parish. Later he was appointed district judge when Winn became a part of a new judicial district and later was elected to a full term. Commenting on his traits as a young man a writer in "The Comrade," a magazine published in Winnfield in 1907 says: "He is a typical Winn Parish product. He generously inherited the brilliant intellect of his now lamented father and very early became inclined to the profession of law, which he promptly entered and has for quite a period been a member of the firm Wallace and Wallace; quick to decide and vehement in the prosecution of his profession....he is decided in his views on all questions of public interest and is decidedly a commoner in politics." The article is closed with his motto: "To be a true and faithful friend; to succeed in all I undertake, and to be useful to my country." On May 10, 1899 he married Miss Bertha Crawford, who with their two children, J. Purcell Wallace, attorney of Shreveport, and Mrs. H. S. Dunlop of Syracuse, N. Y., survive him. Judge Wallace was a member of the Baptist Church and of the El Karubah Shrine and other Masonic bodies. For many years he was a leading criminal lawyer of this section and although in the past few years he had retired from active practice, he was held in high regard by the members of the bar and by the public for his ability and integrity. He was noted for his many acts of generosity and kindness. Other surviving relatives are two brothers, George M. Wallace, assistant attorney general of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Jack Wallace of Winnfield, and seven sisters, Mrs. Cas Moss, Mrs. John Moseley, Mrs. E. E. Kidd, and Mrs. W. H. Baker, all of Winnfield, Mrs. Gill Smith of New Willard, Texas, Mrs. L. C. Moore of Minden, and Mrs. Ethel Schonlau of Syracuse, N. Y. Pallbearers were Arthur Crawford, Marshall, Texas; Tom Crawford, Dallas, Texas; Ed Crawford, Shreveport; Pete Becker, Baton Rouge, Will E. McElroy and Stewart Story, Shreveport.