Wallace L. Whipple

Wallace Lewis Whipple, 99, died peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at St. Luke’s Health Care facility, Oswego NY.

He was born in Fulton, NY on August 27, 1925, to the late Earl Whipple and Laura (Lewis) Whipple Barrows.

A proud part of the “Greatest Generation”, Wallace served in the US Army in Patton’s 3rd Army, from Normandy to Bastogne and was part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, landing on Utah Beach. A Purple Heart recipient, he was wounded several times and carried shrapnel in his legs for the remainder of his life.

Following his discharge from the Army, he was employed at the Nestle Chocolate Company in Fulton, NY, where he met his future wife, Bernice McGinley. They were married shortly after and enjoyed 77 years of marriage before her passing in 2023.

Wallace retired from BOCES in Mexico, NY, as Superintendent of Building and Grounds, the same position he previously held in the Phoenix School District. Following his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed winters in Florida. An avid hunter, he looked forward every Fall to his time in the woods south of Ithaca.

He was a former member of the Phoenix VFW and the Hiram Masonic Lodge 136.

Surviving are two sons, Terry (Sharon) Whipple, Scott (Beth) Whipple and one daughter, Laurie (Ronnie) Grubbs; grandchildren, Sarah Lewis, Mackenzie (Jason) Collins, Heather (Brian) Butler and Bryan (Courtney)Whipple; great grandchildren, Ryan, Evan and Bryce Lewis, Ethan, Delaney and Rory Collins and Wiley Whipple.

He was predeceased by his wife of 77 years, Bernice, his parents and one sister, Dellena Montaro.

Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10th with a service to immediately follow at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay St., Fulton, NY. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Roosevelt Cemetery, State Route 49. in the Town of Schroeppel. To leave a special message for the family, please sign the guestbook.