William F. Wallace

April 2, 1924 – April 18, 2010

William F. Wallace (Bill), a Pioneer Broadcaster passed away on April 18, 2010 after a long illness with Anne, his wife of 57 years by his side. He was born in Newton, Mass. graduated from Newton High School in 1942; served in Navy during World War II; after discharge, he graduated from Massachusetts School of Engineering and attended Harvard University.

Bill loved radio and started his career in broadcasting at a small station on Laconia, New Hampshire; then on to Boston to WCOP and with advent of Television to WBZ. While working at Fenway Field covering Red Sox games, NBC offered him a position at NBC, New York. When network operations commenced in 1950 he was transferred to Hollywood where his first assignment was the Red Skelton show. In 1952 Bill was part of contingent to Chicago to cover both Democratic and Republican Presidential conventions after which he flew to New York to marry his wife Anne on August 10, 1952. Upon returning to Hollywood his assignments as Technical Director included The Tonight Show with Jack Paar; Colgate Comedy Hour; Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin Show; Jimmy Durante Show; Frank Sinatra Show and Matinee Theatre to name a few. Bill received an Emmy for “An Evening with Fred Astaire” in 1959. He resigned from NBC and started the first mobile video tape operation on West Coast known as International Video Tape, of which he was President. At a function, Bill mentioned to an executive from ABC, New York how great it would be if instead of film sports, i.e. baseball, basketball, then coming back to the studio to edit and run segments that a mobile video tape facility could go to sport and broadcast live. ABC executive thought it an interesting idea; went back to New York and started “Wide World of Sports” utilizing Bill’s company to broadcast sports on West Coast. IVT eventually sold and Bill whose first love was radio purchased a radio station in Ventura County; moved to Camarillo from Los Angeles; after years of hearings at FCC, he was able to move and build a new station, increase power and add a sister FM station. The stations received numerous awards including the Golden Mike for Best News competing with Los Angeles stations. During this time, he spent three years doing the Joey Bishop Show five days a week; served on Salvation Army Advisory Board for three years and still found time to help out local organizations such as St. John’s Hospital Auxiliary whenever they needed a special guest for a fundraiser. During his tenure at ABC he also worked on Soap, Barney Miller and Don Rickles Special.

After many years of working 6-7 days a week he sold his AM/FM stations and he and Anne did some traveling thru Europe, Orient, climbing the Great Wall of China, visiting friends in Australia and New Zealand in addition to spending time with family and friends in New England and New York area. There was also a time for his favorite sports tennis and golf and visits with family and friends in their second home in Rancho Mirage. During this time he had a FM frequency allocated to City of Rancho Mirage and filed for it. Upon publication of its availability, five other applicants also filed. After years of FCC hearings, he received the FM award he received the FM award and although all appeals upheld the decision in his favor, he sold to a younger broadcaster.

Although Bill and his wife Anne did not have any children, they took great delight in working on projects that helped children, i.e. Leadership Member, Boy Scouts of America; Little League Sponsorships, WAIF, Operation Children, Childhelp USA to name a few including sponsoring a boy and girl in India thru World Vision. Bill was the eldest of six children ( his brother Robert preceded him); he is survived by his brothers, Chester, Arthiur, and Richard Wallace; sister Mildred McGaffigan; nine nieces and nephews all in New England; and seven God children.

William’s humor, engaging manner, won him a host of friends from all walks of life. Any occasion was enlivened by his presence and our lives have been enriched because of him.

A Memorial was held on Saturday May 1, 2010 at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Chapel. It is suggested you make a donation to your favorite charity to celebrate his life