Bowls: Tributes flow for president Wallace

Wallace, who was born in Newbury then moved to  Arbroath with his Scottish parents, worked for most of his life with the ambulance service  before retiring in Govan.

He turned 80 last month and came on board with the former Scottish Bowling Association in 1993 as the District 24 secretary, organising all of the clubs in the Glasgow South West Area. He was an honorary member and past president of Fairfield Bowling Club, an honorary member of the Govan League and took up the presidency of Bowls  Scotland at the annual general meeting last November.

One of the sport’s true gentle-men, who was fit, active and on the greens bowling until the very end, Wallace was a genuine person who worked tirelessly to promote bowls.

It was typical of his supportive and generous nature that he stepped in to run another district’s final a fortnight ago when he learned that its secretary was in hospital.

Tributes have flowed, but a recurrent theme is that he was a true gentleman who would help anyone and was without a doubt a highly respected ambassador for the game in Scotland.

Bowls Scotland chairman Bill Knox was fulsome in his praise and said: “It is desperately sad to hear the news of Jack’s passing. I’ve known him for many, many years. He was always great company and I have only ever heard good words said about him.

“He was highly respected throughout Scotland. He was prepared to support clubs, counties and anybody in the bowling world that needed help and was a very decent man who put a huge amount of time and effort into the game and we will all miss him greatly.”

Wallace is survived by his sons, Alan, John and Neil. His wife, Joan, passed away a number of years ago.