Joe Ed Wallace

Joe Ed was born in Hillsboro, Texas to parents Rex Roy Wallace and Ruby Marie Lee Wallace. In 1965 he graduated from Hillsboro High School and was awarded the John Philip Sousa Award for superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. He also received a music scholarship to The University of Corpus Christi, Texas where he attended one year before returning to Hillsboro to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. As a young man he was active in youth sports in Hillsboro where he coached a little league baseball team. While working in Hillsboro he met one of his best friends, Steve Cleveland. This friendship lasted a life time and there are countless memories.

In 1970 he moved to Hutchins, Texas to accept a position of patrolman and later became The Chief of Police. It was while working as a patrolman that he met his future wife, Freida. They were married in June of 1972. With a passion for volunteer work, Joe Ed led the Reserve Police force in Hutchins. He worked with young men to introduce them to law enforcement. He also met Jackie Collier shortly after moving to Hutchins and they formed a bond that lasted and shared many special memories.

Over the next 40 years he held several positions with the City of Hutchins which included City Councilman, Mayor, 911 Dispatcher, Public Works Supervisor and Financial Officer. He had a love for Hutchins and would help out wherever needed, even pitching in to pick up the garbage once. He was always available to the citizens when needed. That meant sometimes working 7 days a week and being on call 24 hours. His first date with his wife was interrupted by an over turned milk truck on the highway. Freida had to call her mother to pick her up from this date. He had a great admiration for Police and Fire. One of his last outings was a visit to the Hutchins Fire Station to see the new Fire Truck.

During his time working for the City of Hutchins he met another dear friend, Mike Smith. He and Mike had many adventures over the years. Joe Ed assisted Mike in operating his security company.

Joe Ed was always looking for opportunities to give back to the community. During Christmas time he would dress up and play Santa Claus for his church and other local events. He continued to play Santa until 1990. His other passion was his children’s school activities. He coached Volleyball, Basketball and Track. He cleaned gyms, bought refreshments for the kids on the team and would get to the track early in the morning to smooth and restripe the track. I don’t think he ever missed one of their games or events. In 1990 he received the award for Excellence in Positive Coaching from the Dallas Parochial League.

His other love was the Masonic Lodge. He became a member of Hutchins Lodge 1154 in the early 1970’s and held all the Chairs including Worshipful Master and District Deputy Grand Master. Joe Ed was also awarded the Golden Trowel Award in 1990. The Masonic Lodge was very important to Joe Ed and he enjoyed meeting with and volunteering with his Brothers.

In his spare time Joe Ed enjoyed antiquing or “junking” with another special friend, Randall Tuley. He and Randall would spend hours searching for treasures and telling stories about their finds.

He retired from the his position of Financial Officer for the City of Hutchins in 2010 and pursued his love of his recliner and the Television.

Joe Ed is survived by his wife of 48 years, Freida Wilson Wallace; his son, Joe Edd Wallace, Jr. of Grand Prairie, TX and daughter Laura Ann Cheek and her spouse Chad of Red Oak, TX; grandchildren, Grant William Wallace, Mackenzie Cornelia Wallace, Aidan Joe Wallace, Ann Marie Cheek and Mason Andrew Cheek; his brother Dickie Wallace of Norfolk, VA; Sisters In Law, Emily Rogers Haskell of Forney, TX and Sue Wilson of Holly Lake Ranch, TX; and many nieces, nephews and countless friends; also by his faithful pet, Bichon Frise, Macee. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Marie Wallace of Hillsboro, TX; and his aunt, Helen Dorothy Alford of Dallas, TX.

In lieu of Flowers please Donate to The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, TX or to The Heroes for Hope of North Texas.