Bill Wallace

Bombs were falling and the hospital took a direct hit. But Dr. Wallace had a surgery to finish.

DECADES OF SERVICE
1930s, 1940s, 1950s

MINISTRY EMPHASIS
Medical

Bombs were falling and the hospital took a direct hit. But Dr. Wallace had a surgery to finish.

For a young surgeon in the middle of an operation, bombs dropping on the hospital might prove distracting. Dr. Bill Wallace, however, remained committed to his patients and his calling to medical missions, in spite of the war raging around him. He completed the operation and made plans to continue the care of patients at Stout Memorial Hospital in South China for as long as possible. His presence, and that of other missionaries, changed the negative thoughts many had of the foreigners and their hospital. The Chinese had heard missionaries preach sermons before, but Jesse Fletcher wrote, “in Bill Wallace they began to see one, and that made a difference.” Many began to treasure his medical skills, but also his commitment to Christ.

The ones who were not touched by Bill’s compassion and love were the Chinese Communists. Bill represented the things that the Communist regime wanted to wipe out. Based on evidence planted in his room, Communist authorities arrested and imprisoned Bill as a spy. Those who were able to visit him reported that he was being interrogated and tortured. He urged his friends, “Go on back and take care of the hospital. I am ready to give my life if necessary.” Bill died in jail less than two months later. In addition to his missionary colleagues and family in the U.S., he was mourned by thousands of Chinese. They risked punishment by placing a monument on his unmarked grave with the words, “For me to live is Christ, Phil 1:21.”