William Newton Wallace, Jr., 96 1/2, passed on quietly December 17, 2015 at Life Care Center of Wilbraham where he had been a resident for 7 years, serving as President of the Residents' Council there for 6 years up until the day of his death. Born in Ludlow on June 11, 1919 to William and Carrie Wallace, he was a life-time resident of Wilbraham and enjoyed vacationing to his cabin in Stoddard NH. Mr. Wallace attended school in Wilbraham and graduated from Springfield Technical High School. In 1941 he graduated from Massachusetts Nautical School (now MA Maritime Academy). A Merchant Marine Veteran of three wars, William "Bill" served before, during and after World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Serving as an engineer on at least 25 different ships in 31 years, Bill was chief engineer on the Louisa M AIcott and the West Linn Victory. On Sept 16, 1942 when he was third engineer on the oil tanker William F Humphrey, his ship was sunk by the Michel, a heavily armed German merchant cruiser. Bill received shrapnel wounds and burns but eluded capture and spent 6 1/2 days in a life raft with 10 others before being rescued by a Norwegian freighter. After the war Bill and his friend Captain Duffy had reunions with the crews of the Humphrey, the Norwegian ship, and the Michel. More is in "Ambushed Under the Southern Cross" by Captain George W Duffy. Later Bill was commissioned in the U S Naval Reserve where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant, and he was a commander in the U S Maritime Service. He received decorations from the USA, Great Britain, the USSR, and the state of New York. He was Chief Engineer of the former Springfield Municipal Hospital and also worked in various plants in Western MA. Bill's various memberships include the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #68, Associate Member of the U S Navy Armed Guard Veterans of WW II, AARP Springfield Chapter #1385, past commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp #15, and - - having contracted polio during WW II at a port in India - - Post Polio Syndrome Support Group. He is survived by one brother Theodore Wallace 94 of Camillus NY ; three nieces Grace F Campbell of MA, Lucy R Gebeau of IL, and Kathy Wallace of NY; and one stepson Jeffrey Kerr of Wakefield, Rl. On June 7, 2002, Bill was predeceased by his wife of 16 years Irene MacDonald) Wallace whom he married May 23, 1986 in Enfield NH. He was also predeceased by his sisters Edith French and Winifred Rice; and his nephews Theodore French and Wayne Rice. The Memorial Service for William Wallace will be held at 2:00 on Sat, January 9, 2016 at the Wilbraham Funeral Home which is in charge of the arrangements. An hour of Visitation from 1:00 - 2:00 at the Funeral Home will precede the Service. A private Graveside Ceremony with Military Honors will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Bill would like you to make memorial contributions to the Wilbraham Senior Center building fund, Wilbraham United Church, Ambulance Squad, or the Police or Fire Departments. The family would like to thank Life Care of Wilbraham for their love, compassionate care and friendship for Bill.