Paul Mark Wallace, age 79, of Welch, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, July 23, 2021 at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had suffered a couple of heart attacks followed by surviving open heart surgery, but his kidneys finally started shutting down and his body began to shut down. Surrounded by his family, Judy, Sherry, Dan, and Terry, a prayer was said with words of "we commit thy Spirit unto You" and within a few seconds, Paul took his last breath and stepped into the presence of Heaven joining his family who died before him.

Paul was born 1 May 1942 in Bethany, Oklahoma to Harold Earl Wallace (1908-1959) and Hazel Edith (Matti) Wallace (1908-1965). His paternal grandparents were Charles David "Charlie" Wallace (1885-1967) and Katherine "Kate" (Bainer) Wallace (1889-1954). His maternal grandparents were Jacob "Jake" Matti (1876-1955) and Rosalee "Rosie" (Blatti) Matti (1891-1959).

Paul attended Welch Grade School/High School, Pinty Hill (Chetopa Public School), Grandview, and Bluejacket High School where he graduated in 1960.

Paul had 4 siblings (3 sisters): Thelma Ruth (Wallace) Walker, Ida Mae (Wallace) Long, and Edith Earlene (Wallace) Cox; (1 brother): James Leroy Wallace. Edith is the only remaining sibling still living.

Paul had many jobs during his lifetime. He worked at REC in Vinita, Oklahoma; selling Kirby Vacuum Cleaners in Miami, Oklahoma; Snapper Lawn Mowers in Miami, Oklahoma; Hormel in Miami, Oklahoma; worked at 2 gas stations (Fina Station) in Miami, Oklahoma and Eastside gas station in Welch, Oklahoma; Leon's Coal Company in Welch, Oklahoma; owner of a Sewer Dump Truck in Welch, Oklahoma; owner of Car Wash in Welch, Oklahoma; owner of storage units in Welch Oklahoma; owner of downtown building that had numerous renters, Welch, Oklahoma; Home of Hope Maintenance Supervisor in Vinita, Oklahoma; Vinita Rock Company, Vinita, Oklahoma; APAC Trucking Company in Vinita, Oklahoma; and finally owned his own dump truck company.

Paul retired and soon settled into the life of "tinkering" around the homestead. There were many stories he would tell of early childhood (he would sleep-walk often), teen life, and adult experiences such as the time he was putting tin on a very large barn that resulted in him falling off a ladder that would leave many of us asking him what he was thinking.

Paul was a fixer of many things and would spend most of his time either moving all his tools around, building something, fishing, playing softball, watching wrestling on television, or spending time with his family and friends. He and his brother, James, were frequent visitors to Braum's in Vinita for ice cream, one of their favorite past time activities.

Paul was a volunteer firefighter for the town of Welch. He retired from 20 years of service. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Welch, Oklahoma. Prior to his death, he was the oldest living member having become a member of the church at the age of 12. He was a great example of helping anyone in need. He modeled what a Christian life should look like.

Paul married the love of his life Julia Marie "Judy" Woolman on 7 June 1962 at the home of Paul's sister, Thelma Walker, in Miami, Oklahoma.

Paul is survived by his wife Judy of the home; 2 children: Sherry Swinehart (husband Daniel Swinehart) and Terry Wallace. 2 grandchildren: Lindsey Norton (husband CJ Norton) and Chris Swinehart. 2 great-grandchildren: Cameron and Grant Norton.

Paul is preceded by death by his parents (Harold and Hazel Wallace), 3 siblings (Thelma Walker, Ida Mae Long, and James Wallace); in-laws (Louie Lee and Martha Elvie (Glover) Woolman; sister-in-laws (Ina Lou (Woolman) Speck, Twila June (Mefford) Woolman, Barbara Ann (Woolman) Cook); brothers-in-laws (Louie Lee Woolman, Jr, Larry Wright, Jess Walker, and Charles Cook).

Paul was cremated and his ashes are being buried at Pheasant Hill Cemetery in Vinita, Oklahoma.