Pilot flies high in eyes of family

There isn’t enough time in a day, family members said, to describe everything wonderful about Wallace Cameron.

A retired Air Force colonel, Cameron was just short of 30 years of active military service. He was stationed all over the world and received various medals in recognition of his heroism in more than 70 combat missions.

Cameron’s oldest son, Wally Cameron, recalled how as a child his father never spoke about his war days, in fact, it wasn’t until Walley was in his 40s that he discovered why his father had been awarded 13 air medals, a presidential unit citation, a Distinguished Flying Cross for exceptional heroism in flight, or an Air Force commendation medal.

Wally said during his father’s later year’s in life he began realize that the men who fought with him during World War II were beginning to pass away, which made realize it was time to share the stories of war he’d kept inside for so many years.

He said he’s thankful to his father for the morals of loyalty and honor that were instilled in him as a child.

“A lot of dad’s stories really began to come out after the 50th anniversary of D-Day, he was there,” Wally said.

Not just a father-in-law, but more of a father and mentor is how David Brand will always remember the man he admired for so many different reasons.

“Wallace’s sons described him best when they said ‘he was bigger than anything we could attempt to cover,” Brand said. “He was quit an inspiration in my development (as a person) over the past 27 years.”

When Cameron retired as an Air Force fighter pilot he began a new mission to educate people about the Lord.

He served as the Sunday school director at University Baptist Church in Portales and the vice president of the New Mexico Baptist Men. He served as a senior official in The Gideons.

Family members said Wallace was truly a man of God who walk closely with the Lord.

“My father was a very approachable man after he retired from the Air Force. He was a mentor to a lot of young people, strangers, and family. He was a very giving man who loved to help people if he could,” Wally said. “He didn’t go out to the people to give advise they came to him.”