Frank “Ace” Wallace, 83, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 17, 2025, with his family at his side. Frank was born on September 5, 1941, in Bradley, Arkansas, to Margie (Cooksey) Wallace and Ottaway Wallace. When Frank was three months old, the family moved to Frank’s beloved Eloy, Arizona. Frank graduated from Phoenix Union High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1960.
At the age of 14, Frank picked up a guitar, and strumming and singing the Blues became the passion of his life. By 16, Frank had formed his first band, The Frank Ace Combo, and started playing on a local television show in Phoenix.
After graduation, the Combo began travelling throughout Arizona to perform in area venues, periodically playing behind Blues legends such as B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland. At 19, the band went on the road out of state, performing in a variety of venues. They were also invited to play the Chitlin’ Circuit.
Eventually, Frank moved to Los Angeles, California, and obtained an agent, which led to a year performing in USO shows overseas in South Korea and Japan during the Vietnam Conflict.
For several years thereafter, Frank travelled throughout the United States with Job Corps, performing for kids in the program. He was also hired to perform on Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival cruise lines.
In the early 1970s, Frank moved to Topeka, Kansas, and joined the Topeka Blues Society, where he began playing throughout the Midwest. In 1999, Frank formed his own band again, this time the Frank Ace Blues Band. Frank’s music eventually took him to London, Amsterdam, and on a ten-week Scandinavian tour through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Over the years, Frank held a number of other jobs around his performance schedule. In addition to picking cotton and pitching watermelons with his grandfather, Willie Cooksey, when he was younger, he also worked as a hospital orderly, owned a wig shop, managed a Payless Shoe Source, and sold nuts and chocolates as part of a travelling road show.
After meeting at one of his gigs at The Blue Note in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank courted and eventually married Susan (Ashworth) Wallace in 2004. The two called Phoenix home from 2004 until 2007, and then they made their home in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Whatever Frank did, and wherever he went, he was loved. His larger than life personality couldn’t help but light up any room. His big, genuine smile, deep belly laugh, mesmerizing stories, and gentle way drew an audience wherever he went.
There was a special place in Frank’s heart for children. He loved taking nieces, nephews, and grandchildren on frequent trips to the ice cream shop or the movies, or even giving them a chance to play the fiddle or tambourine at one of his gigs.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents, son Walter Wallace, and sister Jewelene Mayes.
Survivors include wife Susan Wallace, of the home; sister Betty (Butch) Ramirez of San Diego, California; daughters Karla Kemp and Michelle (Victor) Rushing of Phoenix, Arizona; and Danette Elkins of Lawrence, Kansas; sons Evan Wallace of Phoenix, Arizona; Troy Sorrells of Glendale, Arizona; Adrian Wallace and Christopher Wallace of Topeka, Kansas; and Tyrone Cox of Los Angeles, California; stepdaughter Amy (Ryan) Miller of St. Joseph, Missouri; and stepson John (Jenny) Dick of Jefferson City, Missouri; as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Frank has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel of St. Joseph, Missouri.
A visitation will be held at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 PM.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, at a later date.
