Michael Wallis

PV2 Michael “Ryan” Wallis 21, formerly of St. Joseph, died Jan. 20, 2006, as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Burnett County, Texas. Ryan was enlisted in the US Army at Fort Hood, Texas, HHC 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Calvary as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Ryan was born on June 23, 1984, in Berrien Center, MI. The love of his life was Cassandra (Gallegos) Wallis, whom he married on September 17, 2005. Ryan and Cassandra met and dated since he was 14 years old. Ryan loved to fish, play guitar, ride his motorcycle and hang out with friends. Ryan is survived by his wife, Cassandra Wallis, Killeen Texas, his parents Cindy and Gary Wallis of St. Joseph, a sister Kimberly Wallis, Benton Harbor. Grandparents, Fern and Ken Sheely, Dade City, Florida, Lou Wallis of Gulf Breeze, Florida. His mother and father-in-law, Doris and Jesse Gallegos, sister-in-laws, Michelle Lucker and Melissa Davis, brother-in-law and best friend, JT Gallegos, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Ryan is preceded in death by his grandfathers Milton Shaw and Don Wallis. Ryan was a loving and dedicated, son, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. Before leaving for Basic Training, in a letter to his wife, he wrote: “No matter where I am and where you are, we will always be together. Just look up at the sky and think.’ He is looking at me right now’ and when you look at the moon and your face is bright, it is my eyes shining down on you.” A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, at 11:00 A.M., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Guy Kiser officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville with Military Honors. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at the funeral home from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the family. Friends may send a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.