William "Gaylord" Wallace, 99, of Burwell, Nebraska died January 7, 2013 at the Valley County Health Systems Hospital in Ord, Nebraska.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Burwell. Burial will be in the Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell. Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Memorials are suggested to the Church, Kamp Kaleo or the Burwell Community General Fund.
Gaylord was born August 23, 1913 in Castleton, Kansas to William and Margaret (Emery) Wallace. He grew up with his two younger brothers, Paul Eugene and Williard E. on the 1870 homestead of his grandparents, William and Eliza Wallace, formerly of Castleton, Vermont. After their graduation from high school, Gaylord and Eugene went to Detroit and were employed by the Chrysler Corporation.
In 1938, Gaylord came to Burwell to work on the David A. Wallace ranches where he lived with John and Ann Wallace.
Gaylord married Alta E. McClimans on May 12, 1940 in Burwell, Nebraska. Gaylord and Alta lived on the Hill Ranch for thirty years during which Gaylord managed the Wallace ranches as well as one of his own. In December of 1970, they moved to the Wallace River Ranch.
Gaylord held offices in the Sandhills Cattleman Association and served in various capacities as a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. He is a past Worshipful Master of Blazing Star Lodge No. 200, AF & AM and served many years as Worthy Patron of Doric Chapter No. 64 Order of Eastern Star. He was also a charter member of the Ord Elks Club.
Gaylord was also an avid sports fan. He and Alta faithfully attended the University of Nebraska football games in Lincoln.
Gaylord is survived by nieces and nephews.
Gaylord is preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers, Paul and Williard.