Wallace Chandler was born in Dyess, Arkansas, on July 15, 1941 on a small farm near Tyronza, the middle child in a family of five children. His memories of childhood are those typical of anyone from a small community. All the activities were centered around school, church and family. He attended Whitton Elementary School and graduated from Wilson High School in 1959. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College from 1959 to 1964, becoming a four-year letterman on the Bears football team. He made all AIC as a defensive back in 1963 and was honored by his peers as co-captain of the team the following year. He married the former Mimi Albright May in 1966 and together they were blessed with five boys, Jeff, Ben, Matt, Mark and Chris. Wallace and Mimi also have three grandchildren, all boys. He earned his BSE degree from ASTC, later obtained his Masters Degree in Administration from Memphis State University and began postgraduate studies at Arkansas State University. Wallace began his coaching career at Shawnee High School, serving as the High Schools Assistant Football Coach and the Jr. High Football and Basketball Coach. After serving one year at Shawnee, Wallace accepted the head football, assistant basketball and head track coaching position at West Jr. High in the West Memphis School District. Three years later he was promoted to West Memphis High School as Head Track Coach and Assistant Football coach where he served for five years before finishing his tenure in coaching. Wallace then multi tasked as Principal for East Campus High School (two years) and West Junior High (three years). He was also Athletic Director for the West Memphis School District. He served the West Memphis School District as Athletic Director for a total of nineteen years. In the years serving as Athletic director Wallace was responsible for all Athletic programs for three Junior Highs, one High School, directed a coaching staff of 22 along with office support personnel, while managing the annual operating budget for the athletic program, hiring officials, preparing and maintaining fields and courts for all sports and carrying on all public relations activities. During his time as Athletic Director, Wallace implemented the girl’s programs in basketball and volleyball and added boy’s baseball, serving as assistant to the head baseball coach for several years. Wallace served as tournament director for AAAA State Basketball for 2 years and directed many local & regional tournaments in his conference. Wallace’s dedication to athletics’ and education inspired him to join many professional organizations: Arkansas High School Coaches Association, Arkansas High School Athletic Administrations Associations and National Interscholastic Athletic Administrations Association. One of Wallace’s proudest moments was when he helped implement the Arkansas High School Athletic Association. In the years he served as Athletic director Wallace served his community and church in many capacities. He was a Boys Club member, which he chaired for many years. He served Special Olympics, the Kiwanis Club and the West
2 Memphis Parks Commission, which he chaired. Additionally, he was a member of the Equalization Board, which he chaired, Superintendent of Sunday School, Pastor Parish Committee and Boy Scouts of America. Wallace retired from West Memphis School District in May of 1995. He then went to work as Vice President of Flash Market Inc. where he has been a big part in the growth of the company. Wallace still has a love for sports and has used his position over the years to support many of the youth sports programs and other school related activities with his time and monetary contributions.