Rev. Dr. Rayford Leon Wallace was born April 4, 1940, in Wilson, Oklahoma to Clyde Wallace and Bessie Lee (Howell) Wallace, and passed from this life May 20, 2025 in Tulsa at the age of 85.

His family moved to Okmulgee when he was a child. It was there he attended school and was a 1958 graduate of Okmulgee High School. He felt a calling to ministry as a young man and first enrolled in Tulsa University, but soon transferred to Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas. While in school at Southwestern, he met another Oklahoman, Donetta Devereaux. They were married in Carmen, Oklahoma on September 2, 1961.

Ray and Donetta moved to Okmulgee, and he once again enrolled in Tulsa University where he received a degree in Religious Journalism.

Ray became a minister for the United Methodist Church, and he continued his education at Perkins School of Theology (SMU) where he received a master's degree in religious studies. He finally completed his educational journey when he attended Oral Roberts University where he received a Doctor of Ministry.

Rev. Wallace served the United Methodist Church as pastor in Roff, Fitzhugh, Harrison Memorial in Tulsa, Ringling/Loco, Epworth in Tulsa, Wetumka/Weleetka, and Sentinel/Rocky. He retired in 1993 after twenty-two years in full-time ministry with the United Methodist Church and settled in Broken Arrow.

Following his retirement from the church Ray received his CLEET certification and worked as a security guard. During this time, he also restored houses for rentals. He completed his last project in January 2025. He was also a lover of animals and spent countless hours raising and caring for dogs and horses.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Elvis and Joe, five sisters, Betty Dillenbeck, Stella Brinkley, Dorothy Beanland, Maxine Roth, and Mary Bellmyer, and three children, Lisa, Jason, and Jimmy.

Survivors include: his wife Donetta of the home in Broken Arrow; two sons, Marcus Wallace of Alva and Joey Wallace of Broken Arrow; two grandsons, Blake Wallace, and wife Jessica, and River Johnson, and wife Breanna, all of Wetumka; one granddaughter, Raina Johnson; three great-granddaughters, Nova Wallace and Clara and Vallie Johnson; a daughter-in-law Michelle Gann of Weleetka; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Viewing and Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Williamson Funeral Home in Wetumka. The family will greet visitors from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 28, at 2:00 PM at the Wetumka First Methodist Church with Rev. Don Williamson officiating. Interment will be in the Mounds Cemetery under the direction of the Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home in Wetumka.