Wallace Champion Millard, 83, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following complications from congestive heart failure.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Christine (Englemann) Millard; two sons, Charles Millard, (Carolyn Pearce) and Tony Millard, (Karie Shragal); two grandchildren, Sean Millard and Charles Millard, (Chyla Stewart); nieces, nephews, their families and many close friends.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Charles Alfred Millard and Ethel Olga (Lohf) Millard, he was a long time resident of Castleton, Indiana.

In his early years Wallace, known to friends and family as “Wally”, left Milwaukee for Los Angles, where he worked for several companies including Hughes Aircraft Company. In1953 he enlisted with two of his friends into the United States Army. Confusion with his enlistment paperwork led him to go to Augsburg, Germany rather than Korea. It was in Augsburg that he met Christine Englemann and they were married in 1955. Wallace would serve three more tours of duty in Germany, four stateside, and one each in Korea and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

In 1972 Wallace retired from the Army with the rank of Master Sargent and began a second career with the United States Post Office which would last for 21 years. Wallace retired for the second and final time in 1995.

Wallace never lost his love for travel which began at the early age of 14 when he and a friend hitch hiked from Milwaukee to Florida. He and his wife alternated annual trips to Hawaii and Germany for many years and made over a dozen cross country drives from Indianapolis to California and back. He also loved to play golf and fish, continuing to do so until physically no longer able to.

Having lost his mom at the age of 32 and his father at the age of 42, he never expected to live past the age of 50. He would often say, “If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” God however had other plans and extended his years, allowing him to see his grandchildren grow into young adults.

Wallace came to a saving knowledge of Christ in his late 50’s professing Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Wallace attended Hazel Dell Christian Church in Carmel, Indiana where he at times served as an usher.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., March 11, at Indiana Funeral Care, Indianapolis,Indiana. The family will greet friends from 10:30 to the time of service. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

The family requests that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans.