Hershell “Lee” Wallace, 89, formerly of Burns, passed away peacefully in Chandler, Ariz., on March 29, 2023.

Lee often said he easily might not have been in this world. One of seven children born at home to Lexie and Marie Wallace in Stewart County, Tenn., during depression-era times, he weighed only two pounds at birth. His grandmother kept him alive, he said.

After losing his mother to diabetes at age 11, Lee went to live with his elder sister Hazel Mathis and her husband, Edison. In high school, he was sophomore class president and ran cross-country. Although he had a basketball scholarship, he left Tennessee at age 16 to work in the steel mills of Granite City, Ill., and later the Dodge car factory in Detroit, Mich. In Detroit, he met and married Janice Rue Blackwell, also from Tennessee.

In 1952 at age 19, Lee was drafted into the US Army and served in the Korean War. He went directly to the front lines and served in combat missions until he was discharged with honors in 1954. He was promoted to sergeant first class and received the commendation award for meritorious service, among other accolades.

In 1958 Lee, Janice, and their two daughters Janice and Linda, moved to northern California for a short time where Lee learned the meat-cutting trade. They then moved to Boise, Idaho, where Lee and his brother Howard operated a grocery and frozen foods distribution company called Blue Ribbon Family Food Service. Third daughter Teresa was born in Boise. After Lee and Janice divorced, Lee moved to Las Vegas, Nev., for a short time to operate a paving business.

Lee moved to Burns in 1965. He worked in management for Safeway for many years where he met the love of his life, Carole. They were married in 1971 and he welcomed two more daughters as his own, Vicki and Jeanette Hill. Eventually, Lee opened his own meat-cutting business that he and Carole operated until they retired. Lee’s Custom Cutting was a favorite among ranchers and hunters for many years. Their grandchildren loved visiting the shop, since they had added a convenience store with lots of candy!

During his life in Burns and Hines, Lee began his career in public office. He was elected to the Hines City Council, 1973-1977; Mayor of Hines, 1977-1980; Harney County Commissioner, 1989-1995; and Justice of the Peace, 1995-1996. He was also heavily involved in the Burns Lions Club, Elks Lodge (Exalted Ruler), the Masons, Shriners, and many other civic and fraternal organizations.

Lee loved to gather family and friends for camping trips on Emigrant Creek where he taught his grandchildren how to throw horseshoes. They also enjoyed traveling in their RV, especially when they took a trip across the US.

In 1996, Lee and Carole retired in Mesa, Arizona. They enjoyed their many friends, while living at Towerpoint and Sunland Village. He was on the board at his homeowner’s association, enjoyed keeping fit and playing golf, took computer classes, and did leatherwork and stained glass. He loved to take photographs, which he used to create and write many beautiful cards for his family. He never ceased to amaze us. In his late 80’s he learned to order groceries online for curbside, how to use his new iPhone, and even to play the guitar a bit with his grandson. He embraced life and everything it had to offer.

The Church of the Master Presbyterian Church became their other home, where he was an elder and sang in the choir. Both he and Carole served as deacons and greeters.

Lee Wallace was a faithful Christian man dedicated to hard work – overcoming many difficulties early in his life to achieve the goals he set for himself. He had a positive attitude with a kind word and smile, and always stopped to assist others in need. Lee thoroughly enjoyed learning all he could in his leadership roles to create improvements for his community, county, and church.

Lee is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carole; sister, Mary McKean and husband Paul of Wentzville, Missouri; daughters, Jan Wallace, Ecuador, Linda Wallace, Eugene, and Teresa (Wallace) Wolf, Lebanon; step-daughters, Vicki (Hill) Donovan and husband Walt, of Chandler, Ari., and Jimi Jeanette (Hill) Vickers, Eugene; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held April 18, 10 a.m. at Church of the Master, 6659 E. University Dr., Mesa, Arizona, with a reception immediately following and a noon graveside service with military honors at Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E Main St., Mesa, Arizona.

Live stream is available on the church website and a recording on YouTube. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lee’s honor to Church of the Master, www.cotmmesa.org, or Friends for Life animal rescue at www.azfriends.org, 952 W. Melody Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85233. Cards may be sent to the family via Vicki Donovan, PO Box 7078, Chandler, AZ 85246.