He graduated from Mt. Hermon School and the New York Maritime Academy before being granted a scholarship to Princeton, where he majored in economics. He was president of Campus Club and chairman of the Interclub Committee. Bill played an essential role in ensuring all sophomores an equal opportunity to join the eating clubs. A quote from the Class of ’52 50th-reunion book: “After seemingly endless debate, letters to the editor … and the herculean efforts of Bill Wallace, and most of the clubs, the Prince was able to announce on March 9, 1950, ‘ALL SOPHS GET BIDS.’”
Returning to St. Petersburg after graduation, Bill joined his father at the Wallace Insurance Agency until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict. He returned from service and grew the agency through mergers over 42 years. He was elected president of the National Association of Casualty and Surety Agents.
Bill’s compassion and commitment to community service live on through the examples he set for his family: his wife of 64 years, Sally; children William F., Andrew, and Betty; and six grandchildren, including William C. ’09 and Sara Beatty ’12 — all of whom survive him.