James W. Wortham

James Wallace (WallyPop) Wortham, 83, of Searcy, passed away Monday June 24, 2019. He was born November 7, 1935 in Manila, AR to the late James and Mergie (Phillips) Wortham.

Wallace began farming as a young boy and it remained in his blood all of his 83 years. After high school, he joined the army in 1954 and served two years driving a tank in Germany. After returning, his love of farming took him to ASU where he received a degree in Agriculture. He married Patsy Bryant, his high school sweetheart, in 1958. Wallace had quite an exciting variety of experiences throughout his career, first working for Allis Chalmers selling farm equipment in Kentucky, then teaching high school agri in Dumas, DeWitt and Searcy respectively. While in DeWitt, he took a hiatus from teaching to serve as assistant director at Rice Belt Vo-Tech, but after 2 years, the joy of teaching took him back to the shop and classroom where he remained, shaping young lives, until retirement. In addition to teaching, he worked for a friend farming and driving 18-wheelers as often as his schedule would allow.  He managed to do all this while being a devoted husband to Pat and the best Dad ever to Suzie. He loved to fish, camp, drive his red Chevy truck (Fords need not apply), build things, tinker in his shop, listen to country music including several trips to the Grand Ole Opry, keep everyone laughing with his famous quips and quotes, and quietly contribute to his community, always shying away from recognition or accolades. The world is a quart low on all good things without his presence.

Left to cherish Wallace's memory are his daughter, Suzie Wortham (Uta Jewell), his brother, Howard Wortham (Carol), two nieces, Peggy Crane (Tim) and Malinda Bates (Danny), two nephews, Barrett Wortham (Halston) and Scott Woods, his many friends and former colleagues and all the residents and staff at Oakdale Nursing Home.

In addition to his parents, Wallace was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Jane (Bryant), and one sister, Patricia (Wortham) Wright.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 26th from 5:00 till 7:00 P.M. at Searcy McEuen Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be Thursday, June 27th at 10:00 A.M. at White County Memorial Gardens.