A popular Penrith family man, loyal worker and lover of the open road died surrounded by his family, a fortnight before his 48th birthday.
Steven Wallace, known to family and friends as Wally or Wol, was born at Carlisle City General hospital on October 17 1973.
After spending the first few years of his life in Appleby, he moved to Penrith where he put down roots, living and working in the town throughout his life and becoming well known in the community.
Growing up with siblings Julie, Darren, Joanne and Stuart, he attended Wetheriggs Junior School before moving on to Ullswater Community College.
Although a popular student, education could not turn Steven’s head from his love of go-karts, motorbikes and cars; and, at the age of 16, he left school to take up an apprenticeship with Jim Walton’s garage in Southend Road.
While on the job, his boss recognised his ability to befriend anyone he met and offered him a trial run in the sales team. He remained in the role at Walton’s for 32 years until he had to step back due to declining health.
Steven’s love of all things motoring was legendary and, never happy to own one vehicle for very long, he was constantly selling cars and bikes to buy something else. He could even tell you the maximum speed each vehicle could do.
The longest-serving Walton’s employee, he was a mainstay of the business, meeting innumerable people over the years who all gave him shining reviews, as seen on the business’s website.
Steven was a larger-than-life character and since passing away many stories have come to light about his time at Walton’s, including when he hit the top speed of his motorbike when giving a colleague a lift down the motorway, and when he pulled up on the A6 to do “doughnuts”, spraying a friend’s car with gravel.
His greatest love, however, was his two children, Willan, 16, and 13-year-old Evie.
A devoted family man, he and his sister, Joanne, took the youngsters on his dream holiday to Disney World in Florida, staying at Animal Kingdom.
The same sister took Steven in to care for him towards the end of his five-year battle with cancer. Showing bravery and dignity throughout this period, he never complained despite enduring several operations, and even continued his practical jokes up until his final moments.
Steven’s last request was to have a final ride out with his friends and family, so, with his coffin wrapped in photos of his last car and bike, the hearse was accompanied by a cavalcade of vehicles on its journey to the crematorium.
Garages along the route downed tools and people lined the street to pay their respects as the cortège passed in a moving tribute.
Steven is survived by his children, parents and siblings, who thanked the staff of Walton’s for all they did for him.
They also expressed thanks to Steven’s palliative care nurse Jill, district nurses and Hospice at Home’s carers, who all made his last weeks at home comfortable.
