Wallace was the founding director of the marriage and family doctoral program at Purdue University and served as head of what is now the department of Human Development and Family Studies. He trained many PhD students who went on to become faculty at other universities and assume other positions of leadership. His professional contributions to the profession of family therapy were recognized with multiple awards and honors. He was the author of six books with three being book club selections. After 30 years at Purdue he eventually retired to Athens, GA where he became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens. In 2011 he published his memoirs, The Long, Long Winding Road.
Wallace was a multi-talented person with many skills and interests including restoring old cars, woodworking and playing music. He played harmonica with the Athens Folk Society Band at their monthly gigs in area nursing homes. He was a generous person who never met a stranger and was ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Juanita Holt Denton; son, Wayne (Pam) Denton; daughter, Susan (Jim Beall) Staley; grandchildren, Owen (Camille) Staley, Amanda (Matt) Manna, Sam (Aeryal) Staley and Aaron Denton; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Fred, Emma and Noah; sisters, Barbara Bettis and Janet Russell, both of Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Roberta Denton and brother, Duane Denton.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 14 at 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens at 780 Timothy Road. A BBQ reception will follow. Side dishes would be welcomed.
Donations in Wallace’s memory made be made to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
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