Wallace Wurz

Wallace F. Wurz, 88, Wausau, was called to his heavenly home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Saint Clare's Hospital in Weston.


Wallace was born in Wausau, Feb. 3, 1921, to the late Fredrick and Louise (Seidler) Wurz. Wallace met the love of his life, Ethel Will, and the two were united in marriage, in Ringle, at Grace Lutheran Church on Aug. 13, 1942.


Wallace served in World War II in the U.S. Army, in the south Pacific, as a communications specialist. He was discharged in December of 1945. After World War II, he returned to Wausau and worked as an engineer at WSAU radio, and then went to Keokuk, Iowa. He again served his country as a communications instructor, beginning in December of 1950, at Fort Riley, Kan. during the Korean Conflict. Afterward, he left radio broadcasting and began a career in television, working for Metro Media in Peoria, Ill., and then moving to Kansas City, Mo., working as the chief engineer of KMBC.


Wallace and Ethel lived in Kansas City for 44 years, returning to Wausau in 2006. The happy couple celebrated 66 years of marriage together prior to Ethel's being called to her heavenly home Dec. 18, 2008.


Wallace was preceded in death by his son, Chad, in 1997; and sister, Florence (Earl) Lombard. He is survived by his nieces, Rebecca (Doug) Schubring, Ringle, and Janet (Don) Dawe, Burwell, Neb.; nephews, Gary Lombard, Hill City, Minn., and Joel (Janet) Lombard, Hartford; brother-in-law, Darrell (Dawn) Will, Ringle; and sisters-in-law, Tillie (Walter) Hedtke, Hatley, Twila Will, Wausau, and Marion Will, Santa Clara, Calif.


Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Hillside Cemetery, Highway D, town of Norrie, with the Rev. Jon Payne officiating. Military rites will be by the Wittenberg American Legion Post No. 502.


Arrangements are under the direction of Helke Funeral Home, Wausau.


In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of one's choice in Wallace's name.