Wallace Don Merchant, our precious father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed peacefully at home from this life on Friday, January 2, 2015 with his family by his side. The viewing to honor his life will be held on January 5, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. The funeral services will be held at Brazos Valley Church of Christ in College Station on Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 am with burial following at Smetana Cemetery.
Wallace was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on June 23, 1938 to Donnie and Ethel Merchant. He grew up in Brownwood, Texas and attended Brownwood High School where he met Bettie Jean Casson. Wallace and Bettie married on March 1, 1958 and completed their family with the births of their two daughters, Stacie Rhea Merchant and Leslie LaShae Merchant Bishop. The family moved from Brownwood to Bryan where they remained life-long residents.
Wallace was an electrician most of his life and eventually retired from The Norton Company in 2003. He was a family man and a good friend. Wallace was a faithful husband, loving father and generous grandfather and great-grandfather. Wallace remained close with many of his high school classmates of 1957 and cultivated those friendships throughout his life. With Bettie’s encouragement, Wallace’s Christian walk began after his girls were born. He came to understand the importance of a relationship with God and Christ and the need for faith and church. Wallace enjoyed the outdoors and could be found on weekends pitching for the church softball team, coaching Little League baseball or hunting or fishing with family. Wallace shared this passion for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.
Wallace was preceded in death by Bettie, his loving wife of over 52 years, their infant son, Craig Alan Merchant, his parents and two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Bubba Bishop, daughter Stacie, grandchildren, Josh Bishop, Cali Bishop, Derek and wife Meagan Bishop and his great-granddaughter, Berkley all of Bryan, Texas. Wallace is also survived by one brother, David Merchant, of Garland, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.
The family wishes to acknowledge the love and support of church family and friends along with the respectful and gracious attention provided by the Compassionate Care Hospice team; especially Ann Nichols and Danielle Wegener.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Aggie Bombers Booster Club--PO Box 4456--Bryan, Texas 77805 or Texas Children’s Hospital—Office of Development—PO Box 300630, Suite 4214--Houston, Texas 77230-0630
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