When grandson Paul Johnson posted the death of Billy Wallace, he had 136 comments and almost 300 reactions by day’s end. The housekeeper at Elmcroft, where Billy lived in recent days, said she always saved his room for last so she could sit and talk. And that’s the way it was with Billy – minister, college administrator, farmer, historian, mentor and friend.
His memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Knoxville on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Pam Neal and Dr. Barry Wood presiding. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. at the church. Family and friends will meet at Greenwood Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, September 13, for an 11 a.m. burial. Additional obituary information is here.
Billy and his wife, Lynne, were married for 62 years. She would laugh and tell how they met. It went something like this: Lynne came to Knoxville to attend UT. Folks from her church told her to look up Billy Wallace at First Baptist. So, not knowing anybody, she ventured into the church during a weekday. She saw the most handsome man walking toward the stairwell, and moving closer, she slipped and flew off the steps. Billy caught her in midair. A love story cannot have a better start.
Lynne wrote a book about Billy’s family, the Oggs, who settled North Knox County. Good people, now gone.