Wallace Headrick Batey, age 96, of Denton, Texas passed away July 16, 2024 in Denton, Texas. Wallace was born to William Headrick Batey and Eva Omega Hardy on July 7, 1928 in Slaton, Texas.

He was raised in Green Valley, Texas and loved attending the Green Valley school.  His enthusiasm for education and serving others was formed during those years. He served in the Army in Germany from 1950-1952 during the Korean War. He then attended and graduated from North Texas State University in 1956 with a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education. He later earned his Master's Degree in Education from NTSU. He met his wife, Mary Lou Yarbrough, while in college and they were married June 3, 1955.  Wallace and Mary Lou shared 69 years of marriage before his passing on July 16, 2024. He loved teaching, prized education and was a devoted fan of all sports.

He and Mary Lou built their home of 60 years and it was a wonderful gathering place for family and friends. They were tremendous hosts and everyone felt welcome and comfortable in their home. He was an extremely hard worker and would help anyone in need. He lived a long life by being active, enjoying the outdoors and caring for animals. He was devoted to public service and served in many positions helping others, such as coaching, teaching in the public school system, counseling teens for the state of Texas, and was elected as a County Commissioner in 1981.

Wallace was a lifelong Methodist and was baptized in 1956. He was most recently a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Denton. It was evident to those who knew him that he lived a Christ-like life by example. He will be remembered for his love and leadership of his family. He loved his grandchildren and embraced the role of PaPa. He enjoyed mentoring, playing with them and teaching them. His grandchildren were extremely special to him and nothing excited him more than getting to spend time with them. He also loved his extended family and looked forward each year to the Hardy Family Reunion where he could spend time with cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Wallace is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Batey, his sister Evelyn Janice Coulter, his children and their spouses, Lyndal and Claire Batey, Jeff and Brenda Dulin, Steve and Barbara Hard, Pat and Bridget Dansby, and his grandchildren, Luke Batey, Mark and Victoria Batey, Daniel and Jennifer Batey, Scott Dulin, Corey Dulin, Sarah Dulin, Cole and Jennifer Cunningham, Silas and Stacy Martin, John and Amy Carter, Curtis Hard, Colton Hard, Brazos Hard, fifteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Wallace will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton. A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at 9:00am on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. A memorial service for Wallace will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church in Denton.