Charles Robert (Bob) Wallace, 97, Raleigh, NC, formerly of Ft. Myers, FL and Butler, MO, passed away on May 10, 2008 at Falls River Village Assisted Living in Raleigh. A graveside/memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, September 26, 2008 at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's Street, 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Bob was born March 29, 1911 in Freeman, MO, the son of Clara Conn and Pearl Wallace. His early years were spent in Freeman, MO, Canada and Kansas City, MO. In 1943, at age 30, he was drafted into the U. S. Army and thus was one of the oldest U. S. WWII survivors. He had the distinction of being in the 2nd wave of the invasion of Omaha Beach, Normandy in Northern France. At that time he was a member of the Regimental Bomb Disposal Unit, a very dangerous unit, which worked with defusing live ammunition. He was awarded two bronze stars and the Good Conduct Medal for his participation in the Normandy Campaign. After spending two years in France, he was honorably discharged from service and returned to the U. S. He and his family moved to Harrisonville, MO, where he worked as Sales and Office Manager for Harvey Implement Company in Harrisonville, J. L. Case Implement Co. in Dodge City, Kansas and eventually purchased his own implement company, Wallace Farm Supply, in Butler, MO. He and his wife, Jewel, owned and operated this company until he retired to Ft. Myers, FL in 1983. After 40 years of marriage, Jewel passed away, in 1983, soon after they retired. Bob married his Florida friend and neighbor, Ruth Jones, in 1988. They enjoyed 15 years together until Ruth passed away.

Bob had a very busy, productive life. One of his most loved accomplishments was his association with the Masons and Shriners for 50 years. He was also a dedicated VFW member and always remembered his associations with members and friends in his Harrisonville chapter. He was an avid reader, baseball fan, crossword puzzle worker, fisherman and golfed into his 90's! His only problem was hearing loss.

He spent his last four years at Falls River Village Assisted Living in Raleigh, NC, to be near his daughter and her husband, Dorothy and Loyd Roll. The family wishes to express their thanks to his caretakers at Falls River Village and Hospice of Wake County. He was well taken care of by them.

Bob is survived by two daughters, Dorothy L. Roll and her husband, Loyd, Raleigh, NC and Ruth Stockwell, Holden, MO; granddaughters, Tracey Holmes, Brookfield, WI, Vicci Russcito, Southport, CT, Susan Nazzaro, Charlotte NC and Amy Girton, Cumming, GA and their husbands, six other grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.