Wallace Jones, beloved father, grandfather, brother, friend, coach, golfer, and storyteller, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, after a long battle with congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and dementia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iris Jean Poppe Jones; his parents, Willis R. Jones and Viola Boethel Jones; his brothers, Ralph Jones and Collin Jones; and, later in life, by his dear companion, Vickie Anderson.

Wallace was born in Corpus Christi and raised in the Hallettsville area, where he attended Hallettsville High School and proudly played football, basketball, and ran track for the Brahmas. Following graduation, he served four years in the United States Navy. During his service, he was selected for officer candidate training, an honor he characteristically and humbly declined.

After leaving the Navy, Wallace worked briefly in the South Texas oil fields before meeting the love of his life, Iris Jean Poppe. Together, they built a life centered around family, friendship, laughter, and adventure. They raised two children, Donna Kay Steindorf and Keith Douglas Jones.

Shortly after Donna was born, Wallace began what would become a long and successful career with BASF. Over the years, he worked as a production technician, production supervisor, and eventually as a safety supervisor, where he became respected for both his leadership and personality.

Wallace never met a stranger. Early in his years at BASF, he and Iris became close friends with Mark and Carold Wortham, friendships that remained treasured throughout his life. Mark introduced Wallace to coaching Little League Baseball, something he embraced wholeheartedly for many years until his son reached the age of 16. He also coached youth football for several seasons and deeply enjoyed encouraging young athletes.

In his late 20s, Wallace discovered another lifelong passion: golf. In the mid-1970s, he and Iris joined Riverside Country Club, where countless rounds of golf, evenings with friends, and social gatherings became some of the happiest years of their lives. Wallace played golf every chance he could, and after retirement, nearly every day except Monday - because the club was closed. Through golf and country club life, Wallace and Iris formed many lifelong friendships, especially with Brian and Jerri Mills-Jones, Jim and Jackie Hodges-Jones, and Joe and Bonnie Johnston.

A few years after joining the club, Wallace and Iris discovered a love for cruising and travel. Together they explored the eastern Caribbean, western Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, and many other destinations. In the early 1990s, Wallace picked up yet another hobby - gambling - and developed a particular love for Las Vegas and Texas lottery scratch-offs. One of his favorite traditions was sharing scratch-off tickets with his mother, Viola. Their routine often involved buying $20 worth of tickets and continuing until they either struck it big or exhausted the original buy in. Honestly, there were times he'd through in another $20, if their winnings were getting slim.

Following the passing of Iris Jean in 2004, Wallace later shared several meaningful relationships. He spent many cherished years with Vickie Anderson, traveling with family to places including Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, and beyond before her sudden passing from a heart attack in 2017. Eventually, Wallace and Nancy Rosatti became inseparable companions and remained devoted to one another through the end of his life. Wallace and Nancy loved cruising, dancing, and traveling together, making memories on trips to Branson, New Mexico, Arizona, Cabo San Lucas, and even an extended Panama Canal cruise with close friends Brian and Jerri Mills-Jones.

Wallace and Nancy also became familiar faces at the American Legion, where they spent many Friday nights dancing to the music of Lowell and Debbie surrounded by friends and laughter. Wallace was an excellent dancer and was in high demand as a dance partner. You can add dancing to his long list of passions.

Wallace was also a survivor. He battled and overcame bladder cancer before later facing the difficult challenges of congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and dementia. In the end, it was this complicated combination of illnesses, compounded by injuries suffered during a serious fall that broke his right arm, that ultimately claimed his life.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna Kay Steindorf and husband Steve Steindorf; his son, Keith Douglas Jones and wife Apri Jones; his beloved granddaughter, Lauren Poppe Jones; his younger brother, Willis ''Buck'' Jones and wife Gail Jones of Central Texas; his sister-in-law Jackie Hodges-Jones; extended family; countless friends; golf partners; fellow cruisers; dance partners; and all those fortunate enough to know his larger-than-life personality.

Wallace loved people. He loved conversation, laughter, travel, golf, dancing, storytelling, and simply being around others. He wore many hats throughout his life and filled every room he entered with energy and humor.

The family will receive friends at Lakewood Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friends and family are encouraged to bring and share stories of Wallace's life. Nothing would have made him happier than seeing people gathered together, laughing, remembering old times, and enjoying one another's company once again in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation in hopes of advancing research that may spare future families from the effects of dementia.
https://www.alzdiscovery.org/donate