George R. Wallace, Jr.

George R. “Gove” Wallace, 77, of Galatia, IL died Saturday November 22, 2014 at 1:45 pm at the Carrier Mills Nursing Home losing his fight with cancer. He was born on June 1, 1937 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the late George R. and Agnes Lester-Bliss Wallace. He moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to here in the winter of 1974. That year was a bad cold winter, and when he told the story of moving here, he said his first reaction to his first Southern Illinois winter was “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” He served in the Army and the Army National Guard during the Korean War. Most people knew him as “Gove” and for always driving coal and grain trucks. He was a truck driver and friend to many such as Stan Harrawood, David Harrawood, “Moe”, Dan Gulledge, and “Tuffy all of Galatia, IL, Fricker Trucking, Chuck Maloney of Raleigh, IL, and all of those that he drove for when he first moved here including all of the Denny and Simpson Family, employees, Bobby Gene Simpson, Reeder Trucking, Browns Trucking, Mike Church and many others I know we are forgetting. He is survived by his Grandson: Jeff and Tamy Manning of Galatia, IL; Great Grandson: Dakota Manning of Galatia, IL; Nephew: Buddy Bliss of California and Cousin: Pauline “Polly” Bliss of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents: George and Agnes Wallace, His life partner and Love: Mamie McAnnally, Sister: Udean Bliss Fricker; Brother: Jasper Bliss and 2 Great Grandchildren: Holly Manning and Jeffrey Lee Manning. “Gove” loved driving the big rigs and hauling coal. His last wishes were to not be buried, but to be cremated and his ashes to be spread at his friend and former employer's trucking yard so he could forever be with his trucks. Memorial service will be held Sunday November 30, 2014 at 3 pm at the Galatia Community Center for all of “Gove's” friends and trucking buddy's. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses. Every one he thought of as a friend. “Gove” is loved and will be dearly missed.