Mr. Robert Laymon Wallace

Robert Laymon Wallace, age 92, passed away June 19, 2018. services will be at 11:00 Thursday, June 21, with visitation from 9:30 until 11:00 at Chancellor Funeral Home, Florence. Burial in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, in Florence. Laymon was born May 27, 1926, in Longview, MS. He was the son of Ernest and Gussie (Hamill) Wallace. He married his high school sweetheart, Avis McClellan, in April 1944. In October of that year, at age 18, he was drafted into the Army. He had 16 weeks of basic training before being sent to the front lines in Germany. He served in combat with the 4th Armored Division, 3rd US Army under General George S. Patton, and served an additional two years in Germany in the army of occupation. He was honorably discharged in May 1947, and after two years as a civilian, joined the Mississippi Army National Guard in Starkville in November 1949. In January 1951, his unit was called to active duty for the Korean Conflict and served until his unit was released from active duty in November 1952. After returning home, he worked full time for the Mississippi Army National Guard in Starkville before being transferred to Jackson in 1954. Laymon served 39 years in military service and retired as a Staff Sergeant Major. After retiring, he enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, gardening, and woodworking but most of all he loved being of service to his church, family, friends, and neighbors. He was a charter member of Asbury Congregational Methodist Church in Jackson, where he served in many capacities. After moving to Florence in 1994, he moved his membership to Victory Congregational Methodist Church where he served as trustee, usher, and other various duties. He also served as Chaplain of his camping club for eight years. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Beneta Wallace, Ernesteen Wallace Clay, Lucy Wallace Montgomery, Shirley Wallace Oswalt, and a brother James (Hamp) Wallace. He is survived by his loving wife, Avis, sons Randel (Paula) of Madison, and Keith (Judy) of Florence, six grandchildren, Wendy (Brad) Hux, Scott Wallace, Kristopher Wallace, Kayce (Shane) Bills, Laura (Jimmy) Clark, and Melissa (John) Banks, and eight great-grandchildren, Haleigh and Harrison Hux, Ava Grace and Brody Bills, Avery, Annabelle, and Calvin Clark, and Lilly Banks, one sister, Genevieve Swartzberg of Starkville, one sister-in-law, Gertrude Wallace of Mendenhall, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Laymon will be greatly missed by his loving family and all that had the privilege of knowing him. Memorials may be sent to French Camp Academy.