Wallace K. Reaves

Wallace Keith Reaves was born on May 26, 1927 to Ralph and Margaret Reaves in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Thereafter, his family relocated to Kansas where they lived and worked on oil leases. He graduated from High School in McPherson, Kansas. Wallace served in the U.S. Army in Europe during the closing days of WWII from 1945 to 1947. He was very proud to be a WWII Veteran. When he returned home, he worked in the oil fields of Kansas. There, he met his future wife, Geraldine Block. He asked her for directions while driving his 1949 Pontiac convertible. The rest is history. They married June 17, 1950. It would have been sooner, but they had to wait for Gerry to turn 18. He graduated from Tulsa University in 1953 with a Bachelors of Science and began his career with Conoco. Together they had 6 children as they lived in many places in the south. Eventually they were sent north to Billings, MT. They finally landed in Casper, Wyoming in 1967 with all six kids. Here they spent the next 52 years. In the 80's, he left Conoco and struck out on his own. He was successful and provided a comfortable life for his family. He and Gerry spent the next decade traveling and enjoying each other's company. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Knights of Columbus, Cana Club, the local square dance club and the Wyoming Geological Association. In the year of 2000, Wally finished restoring a 1949 Pontiac exactly like the first car he owned just in time for their 50th wedding anniversary.

Wallace continued working in the oil and gas industry until he was 86, earning him an honorary lifetime membership of the WGA. During this time, his wife's health declined and he lost the love of his life in 2011. After this loss, he was invited to participate in Honor Flight of Wyoming. This was a one-day trip to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial. This was a highlight in his life that he continued to talk about. Wallace was able to live comfortably in his home until his health declined. He spent only 24 hours in Hospice. He was ready to join Gerry in Heaven and passed away peacefully at Shepherd of the Valley Hospice Care on March 13, 2018.

He is survived by his six children: Lindall Reaves (Esther), Leisa Leake (Caleb), Lynette Briggs (Garry), Laura Hauffe (Talbot), Lindsey Reaves and Libby Burlingham (Scott); and 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Newcomer Casper Chapel from 5:30pm until the Recital of the Rosary beginning at 7:00pm.

A Mass of Celebration will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, March 23, 2018 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Interment and military honors will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 23, 2018 at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, Wyoming.

Memorials in his name may be made to Honor Flight, Inc. Attn: Diane Gresse, 175 South Tuttle Road, Springfield, OH 45505.

To share a memory please visit the guestbook below.