A son of Wallace Carson Rinker and the late Mary Balser Rinker, he was born on November 16, 1960 in Harrisonburg.
Wallace was a 1979 graduate of Turner Ashby High School and was a member of the Freedom Lodge #112 A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge in Eldersburg, MD.
He had a career in television which he enjoyed while working in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Baltimore and Roanoke. He was forced to give it up when his health wouldn’t allow him to do the work anymore.
To most he was Wally, some knew him as W.D. but to his sisters and their friends, he was Waddy. Many remember him as a fun-loving man.
He enjoyed making people laugh and telling stories. He also had a serious side, protected the ones he loved and was always there when someone needed to talk.
He loved his children and grandchildren and was a big fan of UVA sports, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens.
On December 7, 2008, he married his Jr. High sweetheart Michelle Neff Rinker, who survives.
Besides his wife and father, also surviving are two daughters, Christina Christian and husband, Terry, of Harrisonburg, and Rebecca Piluzza and husband, Ryan, of Charleston, SC; one son, Matthew Rinker and wife, Jenna, of Shenandoah; eight grandchildren, Lane, Tyler, Kelly, Chase, Jack, Barrett, Ryder and Maybree; one brother, Joey Rinker, of Bridgewater; three sisters, Mitzi Miller and husband, Kent, of Bridgewater, Julie Bird, of Bridgewater, and Jill Dorsey, of Talladega, AL; and one step-son, Michael Alley, of Albuquerque, NM.
He will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 4:00 pm. at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
This will be a celebration of his life, so please join me and the family to share your stories, some laughs and celebrate him as his was in life, a loving, caring, happy-go-lucky man.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com
