Wallace Eugene Mitchell

Sumter, SC ….. Lt. Col. USAF Retired Wallace Eugene “Dick” Mitchell, beloved husband of the late Sara Ann Mitchell, died on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Prisma Health Tuomey.

He was born on October 6, 1930, in Blue Diamond, Kentucky to the late Nell Gill Morgan and the late Eugene Ferguson Mitchell. Wallace received an AB and MA Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1954. He was an All-State football halfback in 1948 and 1949 and later played as a starting halfback and safety for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Kentucky from 1950-1954. He was a fighter pilot in the USAF for 26 years, serving in the Vietnam War and served as the Base Commander for Shaw Air Force Base in the 1980’s, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980. He received many awards and decorations that included the Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Eight Oak Leaf Clusters and AF Commendation Medal.

Wallace was a member of First Presbyterian Church, American Legion, Retired Officers Association, Air Force Association, Daedalian Society and several golf associations.  He worked for the Boy Scouts for almost 40 years serving as Scout Master for about 22 years.

He is survived by two daughters, Jennie Gail Mitchell of Laguna Beach, CA and Mary Margaret McLeod of Sumter; one son, John Charles Mitchell of Sumter; two sisters, Judy Alice Cox and Abynelle Smiley both of Somerset, KY; five grandchildren, Heyward McLeod, Sara McLeod, Jerry Lang, Daniel Lang and Chris Lang and six great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Henry Mitchell, and a sister, Jennie Gill Mitchell.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Bullock Funeral Home. 

The family of Wallace Eugene Mitchell and Sara Ann Mitchell invites all friends and family to the Celebration of Life of Wallace Eugene Mitchell and Sara Ann Mitchell, who passed away four years ago this April. 

We invite you to join us on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home for Dad’s Celebration of Life and dinner afterwards.

At 4:00 pm, following the dinner, we will gather at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery for a nine-gun salute in honor of his service in the USAF.  

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wallace Eugene Mitchell, please visit our floral store.