Taziel Lemuel Wallace Jr.

On the evening of November 8, 2023, HE WON!   “I am going to fight this to the end.”

Taziel Lemuel Wallace Jr. was born on November 11, 1942, in Williamsburg Va. “Taz” was very family-oriented with his children and grandchildren. He did everything within his might to ensure that their needs were met. 

He received his early education in the York County Public Schools and graduated from James Weldon Johnson in 1962. He began his working career with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.  He later joined the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAF, he returned to Williamsburg and resumed his career with Colonial Williamsburg, retiring with more than twenty-five years of service. His professional career progressed to being employed with the Naval Weapons Station and part-time with Colonial Williamsburg until he transferred to Panama City, Florida. He retired from the Civil Service Administration in 2009. “Taz” made the decision to come back home to Williamsburg, Va. because he needed to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

He held true to his heart his affiliation as a fraternal brother and member of the Masonic lodge and would say often, “ONCE A MASON, ALWAYS A MASON.” He was raised and served as a member of Maceo-Consolidated Lodge No. 124 in Williamsburg, Va., where he studied incessantly and strived to become the best Mason he could be.  His diligence and perseverance, eventually led to him becoming the Worshipful Master of the lodge. He was instrumental in opening a daycare to assist single working mothers in the area. Because of his accolades in Freemasonry, he was eventually awarded The Worshipful Master of the Year for the state of Virginia; an honor that was bestowed upon him by Governor Douglas L. Wilder the First Black Governor of the state of Virginia. Undoubtedly, Taz enjoyed spending time with his family whenever he had the opportunity. Taz was a dedicated Pittsburgh Steelers fan throughout his lifetime.  We will always remember his infectious smile and full of love and loud laughter, which surely made you feel like you could “DO IT, DO IT, DO IT, DO IT, Do IT” (yes it was 5 times) when you were in his presence. 

Taz was preceded in death by his son Richard “Punchy” Wallace; parents, Mabel Orene Wallace and Taziel L. Wallace Sr.; sisters, Gloria B. Wilson and Faye Tabb; and brother, Richard Taylor Jr. He leaves to cherish loving memories with his children, Maria Jesus Pastor of Zaragoza, Spain, Chantelle Johnson, Miguel Wallace (Karita), and Tileda Buttrom (Harold); sister, Jeanette “Skinny” C. Thorpe; goddaughter, Angela Gray; godson, Bryan Marsh; special nephew aka bonus son, brother Kevin M. Tabb Sr; special friend, Linda Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. 

Taz’s hearts are his legacies, grandchildren, DeMarcus Johnson, Tiera Wallace, Daryl Walton Jr., Karisha Rhyne (Randy), Jalen Wallace, Zion Wallace, and Amor Wallace. His desire to keep living was for his great-grandchildren, Jamari Walton, Kamrynn Williams, Kristian Cobbs, and Xavier Walton.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at Noon Friday, November 17, 2023, at Bethel Restoration Center.  Military Honors will be rendered immediately following the service. Mr. Wallace may be viewed on Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the hour of his service in the church.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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