Wallace R. Willey, Sr

Wallace R. Willey, Sr., 88 of Cambridge, passed away at the Dorchester General Hospital on Friday, February 25, 2011. He was born in Cambridge on August 25, 1922 and was a son of the late William Gorman and Mary Elizabeth Wallace Willey. He attended schools in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1939. On July 25, 1943 he was married to the former Winifred W. Mobray. Wallace served in the U.S. Army from March 1, 1943 until March 1, 1946. While serving in the Army he served two years in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal as well as the WW II Victory Medal. As a young man he was an avid basketball player in several leagues including the DeMolay. Wallace also bowled in several duckpin leagues and was also a good billiards player. He had been a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge for over 50 years. As a young man he had sung in the choir, and often enjoyed singing with his friends Wilbur Newcomb, Bud McCarter and Allen Dennis. Most of his job experience was spent with the Phillips Packing Co. He started in the Phillips Employment Office at the age of 17, where he worked until he entered the Army. After his military service he was employed in the packinghouses as a plant manager until Phillips was sold to Hanover Brands and then to Coastal Foods and after that Old Fashioned Foods until his retirement. Wallace was a Life Member of Dorchester Post # 91 American Legion with 65 years of membership. He had served as Post Commander, Southeastern Shore District Commander, Post Adjutant and Post Judge Advocate for many years. Wallace enjoyed his daily visit to the American Legion Post sharing time with his friends. He was stricken at his home on Friday morning and was taken to Dorchester General Hospital where he passed away. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Winnie Willey of Cambridge, five children Vicki Griffith and her husband Tom Griffith of Fayetteville, NC, Susan Willey of Cambridge, Wallace R. "W.R." Willey, Jr., and his wife Betty Willey of Cambridge, Walter G. Willey and his companion Ed Miller of Naples, FL and Becky Bowman and her husband John Bowman of Wellsburg, WV. He is also survived by five grandsons Michael Griffith, John Griffith, Steve Griffith, Matthew Griffith and Patrick Griffith and three granddaughters Tracy Nichols, Amy Schuyler and Ashley Willey, ten great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers William G. Willey, Jr. and Jack Faw Willey. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 PM at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with the Rev. William R, Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Pallbearers will be CSM(R) Tom Griffith and Wallace's five grandsons Michael Griffith, John Griffith, Steve Griffith, Matthew Griffith and Patrick Griffith. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Tieder, Glenn Robinson, Wylie (Pete) Young, Lamont Holiday and Donald Creighton and the Past Commanders and Life Members of Dorchester Post # 91. Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of Zion United Methodist Church, 612 Locust Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Dorchester Post # 91, P.O. Box 70, Cambridge, MD 21613.