Wallace A. Wesley

Wallace Wesley was a man who served his country proudly, his family lovingly, and his friends loyally. He lived through challenging times, and while he saw much hardship in his lifetime, he also always saw the hope and the beauty, in the world around him, and in the eyes of his loving family. Wallaces story began on a warm summer day in 1951, as school was letting out all across the state of Illinois. Those were turbulent times, when America again went to war, in Korean, and in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Amid those trying times, Jacqueline Wesley celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son she named Wallace. Wallace joined his brother Kenneth in the familys home, and they moved to Battle Creek, Michigan when he was just a boy. He spent most of his life in the Cereal City, where he went to school, and grew to become a strapping young man. Wallace grew into manhood during a time of great unrest in this country, and with so many of his friends getting drafted to serve in Vietnam, Wallace decided to enlist in the U.S. Marines. Wallace bravely served his country for the next several years, and saw so much hardship overseas in that foreign land, hardship which would affect him the rest of his life. When he was discharged from the Marines, Wallace returned to Battle Creek, where he started a new life, fell in love, and became a father. Wallace was blessed with four terrific kids over the years, his sons Wallace and Brandon, and daughters Jacqueline and Lyanne. As proud as he was of his military service, nothing made him prouder than his children. His relationship with their mother didnt last, yet he remained an important part in their lives. Wallace had many hobbies and interests of his own, as well. He loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and riding was one of his true passions. He also was a photography buff, and enjoyed taking pictures everywhere he went. He was a technology buff, too, and loved to tinker with computers whenever he got the chance, or watch the Sci-Fi Channel. He also collected Native American dream catchers, which are believed to pass good dreams onto their owners. As he got older, Wallaces health declined. His mother also sadly died, and he left Battle Creek, moving north of Muskegon to the little town of Rothbury, to be closer to his children. Sadly, Wallace died on September 28, 2007, at the age of 56. Wallace was a man who lived through challenging times, but was never hardened by the hardships he faced. He was a man who served his country proudly, his family lovingly, and his friends loyally, as a veteran, a father and a friend. He will be greatly missed. Wallace is survived by his 2 sons: Wallace Anthony Wesley II of Muskegon and Brandon Johnson of Homer, MI; 2 daughters: Jacqueline Loella Wesley and Lyanne Kay Wesley both of Muskegon, MI; 1 brother: Kenneth Westley Illinois; Special friends: Jeffrey & Julie King; caregivers: Junior, Debbie Johnson & Family. Burial in Fort Custer National Cemetery Thursday October 4, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. Please visit his Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of him, or to sign his online guestbook.