William B.“Bill” Wallace died on Jan. 25, 2003, at the age of 88, after a brief illness.

Early in his career, Mr. Wallace was a mechanic for the Philadelphia Gas Works. In 1939, after a new Caterpillar tractor was delivered to his employer, Mr. Wallace became interested in heavy equipment and went to work for Giles & Ransome, a Cat dealer. He remained with Giles & Ransome as its front-line field mechanic until early in the 1950s.

During his years with Giles & Ransome, Mr. Wallace introduced the latest Caterpillar technologies to most of the area’s major contractors and was on a first-name basis with the founders of these companies.

Mr. Wallace had a brief stint as an oil salesman, but his expertise as a first-rate mechanic kept him busy with calls to repair downed units.

In 1956, Mr. Wallace and his son, Robert, founded Wallace Power & Equipment Company, located in Lower Bucks County, PA. He was joined by another son, Dave, in 1969. In 1997, the business was divided between the sons and became two separate operations, Robert F. Wallace and Doylestown Services.

Mr. Wallace is survived by his wife, Mildred; five sons, William Jr., James, Robert, David and John; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.