OBITUARY Wallace L. Helus May 26, 1943 – October 9, 2018 TUSCALOOSA – Wallace Lee Helus, Sr. (Big “O”), age 75, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. , departed this life on October 9, 2018. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Jerry Koster officiating.
Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Virginia Helus and brothers, Lanny and Wayne Helus.
Survivors include his wife, Shelia Helus of Tuscaloosa, Ala. ; daughter, Wendy D. Brown (Keith) of Livingston, Mont. ; sons, Wallace Lee Helus, Jr. (Lyndall) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
and Thomas W. Helus (Amy) of Slapout, Ala. ; sister, Sherry Warehime of Colorado; sister-in-law, June Helus; brothers, Calvin Helus (Debbie) of Colorado and Lonnie Helus (Lori) of Colorado; grandchildren, Trey Thornton, Cameron Cooper (Emilly), Savannah Stephenson (Kyle), Jacob Brown, Sarah Grace Helus, Baylee Walker, Claire Brown, Rylee Helus, Samuel Helus, Storm Helus, Molly Helus and Treven Brown; and his great-grandson, Jackson Stephenson. Born in Greeley, Colorado, Wallace was one of six children.
He grew up poor, but honest. In high school, he played sports, was prom king, and had many friends. They were all poor but they enjoyed life so much that they never even knew it.
As he grew older, he started college but then ended his educational career to serve our country in the United States Marine Corps. After surviving Vietnam, he returned home and got married. His proudest family moments were the birth of his three children, their marriages, and their graduation from college.
He was also proud of his grandchildren as he watched them grow and succeed in life. His proudest career accomplishments were his five years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring from the military and the post office, and being appointed postmaster of Akron. His proudest civic accomplishments included helping build the new fire station in Akron, and serving as treasurer there.
He received several military awards, was awarded Clerk of the Month by the United States Postal Service, and was presented with the Akron Fireman of the Year award. One of his greatest achievements in this life was accepting Christ as his Savior. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, 354 Postmaster’s Association, and the Akron Fire Department.
Pallbearers will be Randy Tunnell, Jeff Free, Ernie Spiller, Jack Freeman, Samuel Helus and Storm Helus. Honorary pallbearers are Trey Thornton, Jacob Brown, Keith Brown, Billy Jackson, Frank Hollie, Elijah Knox, Keith Etheridge and the members of Community Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to organizations that center around either cancer or Veterans.
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