Wallace Alton Mayo

Wallace Alton Mayo was born April 28, 1934 in Hartshorne, OK. to Leroy and Alba (Mathiews) Mayo. He passed away at home on Friday, April 8, 2016 in Scottsdale AZ. Wallace grew up in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Utah. His mother passed away when Wallace was 7 years old and for a short period of time was raised by his grandparents. He then went to live with his dad and stepmother.

Being called of God at a young age, he went to Gilroy, CA. to prepare for the ministry at the Pentecostal Bible Institute. While there he met his future wife.

In 1953, Wallace travelled to Alaska to help build an orphanage. After that was completed, he returned to Gilroy, married his bride, Betty Prince on June 18, 1954 and finished Bible school in 1955. After graduating he and Betty pastored churches in Salt Lake City, UT, Chehalis, WA, Newton, KS, Avondale, AZ, and Globe, AZ twice. Wallace, Betty and their 5 children were called as missionaries to the Philippines from 1972 to 1976. Through this ministry, property was purchased and a new church was built. From 1978-2014, Wallace and Betty pastored their last church in Tempe, AZ. Wallace retired on April 27, 2014 the day before his 80th birthday.

Wallace was a true servant of God. One of the highlights during his last 35 years of ministry was the Spirit of Life food bank. With just one of his 3 trucks that he used during this period, he accumulated over 465,000 miles, never leaving Maricopa County.

Wallace is survived by his wife Betty of 61 years and 10 months; a sister LeAnn Martin of Anderson, MO; sons Allen (Debbie) of Globe, AZ and Dennis (Cathy) of Indiahoma, OK; daughters Leila (Don) Mott of Port Orange, FL, Annetta (Steve) Thompson of Goodyear, AZ and Ruth (John) Lundquist of Apache Junction, AZ; an uncle who was more like a brother to him, Richard Mathiews and a wonderful host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wallace was preceded in death by his mother, Alba Mayo; father & stepmother, Leroy and Anna Louise Mayo, brother Willis Mayo and grandson, Justin Alton Mayo.