June 30, 1929 ~ February 01, 2013
Wallace Payne Bonifield, Norman, OK, passed peacefully at home on Friday, February 01, 2013 of colon cancer. Wally was born June 30, 1929 to Eva and Harry Wesley Bonifield, Blackwell, OK.
Edith Tunnell encouraged Wallace to complete his education, he attended San Antonio Junior College, and then transferred to Phillips University, Enid, OK. In 1950, he joined the 45th infantry division and served in Panama Canal and Korea as an M.P. for the advance transfer detail. He returned to Phillips University to finish his Business Administration degree. Wallace received his Master's degree at Indiana University.
Wally met the woman of his dreams at a social affair in Oklahoma City. He married Vivian Burkhart on December 29, 1957, at Briton Christian Church, Oklahoma City.
Wallace served as Executive Director Oklahoma Easter Seal Agency for 27 years before retiring December 1995. During his tenure with OSCC/OESA he implemented the telethon campaign in Oklahoma. Beginning in Tulsa and adding the Oklahoma City campaign three years later in 1978. Wally worked tirelessly raising millions of dollars to assist children throughout the state who could not afford eye glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, speech therapy, etc. He implemented a statewide vision, hearing, speech and scoliosis screening program, promoting early detection. He touched over 100,000 student's lives per school year. Wally also started the Easter Seal Summer Camp for disabled children held each summer near Guthrie, OK.
Wally was a well-known Rotarian, beginning his relationship with Club 29, Downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club in November 1969 and serving his community for over 30 years. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship. He joined the Norman Rotary Club after retiring. Wally was also a member of the Men's Dinner Club , Oklahoma Special Education Committee, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association , and American Society for Public Administration in Oklahoma.
Wally was very active in the First Christian Church, at Lincoln Terrace/Kelly Avenue Christian Church, and First Christian Church, Norman.
Wallace and family made Norman their home in 1969.
Outside of work and family, Wallace enjoyed traveling and tasting the gourmet foods his wife, Vivian made. His favorite past time was spending quality time with friends and family.
Wallace is survived by spouse, Vivian Bonifield, Norman, OK. and children-Kevin and Kim Bonifield, Tulsa, OK, Lia and Steve Jones, St. Charles, MO, Tracey Frost and Nathan Visu, Norman, OK. Grandchildren-Aimi Melkoday, Oklahoma City, Joshua and Stacy Frost, Oklahoma City, Julianne Bonifield, Charlottesville, VA and Carla Jones, St. Charles, MO and great-grandchildren Aiden Frost and Logan Frost. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harry Estill Bonifield.
Memorial Services for Wallace will be held at 2pm on Friday, February 8th at the First Christian Church, 220 South Webster, Norman, Oklahoma. Arrangements for Wallace and his family were placed in the care of the Vice Family at Havenbrook Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com
Memorial donation may be made to First Christian Church, 220 South Webster, Norman, OK 73069.
Thank you Wallace for your integrity, courage, and love. We will mourn a great friend and mentor.