William Daniel “Dan” Wallace

Published 5:16 pm Tuesday, June 17, 2025

William Daniel “Dan” Wallace, age 92, passed away on June 15, 2025.

A graveside Masonic service will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Pamlico Memorial Gardens, with Travis Boyd officiating.

Dan was born in Beaufort County on February 22, 1933, to the late Arthur J. Wallace, Sr. and Bessie Selma Jefferson Wallace.

Dan attended Old Ford School but moved to New Bern as a teenager and lived with an aunt and uncle, while participating in an apprenticeship program at Cherry Point Naval Base. He trained to be an airplane mechanic and graduated from New Bern High School.  On June 7, 1953, he married Hilda Marie Mizelle and after working for the Navy for several years, they relocated back to Beaufort County.

Dan continued his love of mechanics, working at the local Ford Tractor dealership.  He later worked in the building supply business for many years as manager of Moore’s Building Supply.

Dan had many interests and talents.  Always the man with the camera, he preserved our family history, his camera was always with him. He began with 8mm home movies and slides and later the video camcorder.  We are grateful for all the times he had his video camera in hand to create these memories that we will always cherish.

Dan had an expertise in repairing and restoring vintage tube type radios.  Later in life he became a member of the Pamlico Amateur Radio Club   and received all licenses for Amateur Ham Radio Operator. He was a member of the Coastal Carolina Emergency Net, and several other local Amateur Radio Clubs, as well as a Volunteer Examiner for new operators.

An avid supporter of restoring antique farm tractors, Dan was instrumental in the formation of the Eastern Antique Power Association.  He spent many hours not only restoring his own tractors, but always willing to assist fellow enthusiasts with their projects.

Until his retirement, most weekends were spent on the Pamlico River boating and skiing with his family and friends.   He not only built his first pair of water skis, but also a boat. Dan also had his private pilot’s license.

Dan was a great music lover. He was a self-taught guitar player and spent evenings with his brother Cecil and friends playing and singing and instilled this talent and love of music in his children.

In addition to his membership in local amateur radio clubs and the Eastern Antique Power Association, Dan was also a Master Mason and a member of Washington Masonic Lodge #675 and an honorary member of Orr Masonic Temple #104, Washington York Rite, Sudan Temple, the Washington Jaycees and the Wharton Station Ruritan Club.  Dan was a member of Wanoca Presbyterian Church. Dan never met a stranger and remembered every person he met along the way. He was one who would lend a helping hand to those in need. He was an avid storyteller with an autobiographical memory and a great sense of humor.

Dan is survived by daughters Barbara W. Lun and husband Ron of Lebanon, OH, Cindy W. Cochran and husband William of Washington, and Amy W. Marshall and husband Justin of Carolina Beach, NC.

Dan has eight surviving grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren:  Steven Lun and wife Holly and sons Chase and Nolan of Floyds Knobs, IN, Matthew Lun and wife Marni and daughters, Molly and Madeline of Pennington, NJ, Ryan Lun  and wife Kathleen and children George, Annie and Walter of Raleigh NC, Jessica Manning of Fremont, NC and son Avett Such, Emily Cochran Martin and husband Brady of Asheville, NC, Seth Manning and wife Katie  of Washington and daughters Dani-Kate and Laney, Kyle Cochran and fiancée Sara McKinney and son Cooper of Winterville, NC and Adam Manning of Morehead City, NC as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Dan was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Hilda, on November 22, 2011, and by his son William Daniel “Danny” Wallace Jr., daughter Betsy W. Beamon, grandson, Patrick H. Cochran and great-grandson Tyson L. Such.   Dan was also predeceased by all his siblings, brothers, A. J.  Wallace Jr., Cecil Wallace and sister Tillie W Moore.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the “angels” at Ridgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center and Amedisys for their loving care of our Daddy.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605, Wanoca Presbyterian Church, 921 East 6^th Street, Washington, NC  27889, or the charity of one’s choice.

The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery and at the home of William and Cindy Cochran on Friday afternoon, June 20, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Wallace family.