Wallace "Wally" John Mason Sr

Wallace “Wally” John Mason Sr, 90, of Charlotte, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews where he had been a patient. Wally was born in Jersey City, NJ, on Sunday, February 12, 1922, the son of Morris and Sophie (Andis) Mason. He graduated from high school and hearing his country's call to arms during the Second World War, he enlisted in the United States Army. He faithfully served from 1942 until 1946. Though his four year tour of duty seemed brief, Wally's experiences were memorable in the annals of history and left memories he would carry a lifetime. Wally was a survivor of the sinking of the HMT Rohna, which to this day constitutes the largest loss of US troops at sea in a single incident with 1,015 men lost in the sinking. Wally was also a member of a long forgotten element of the Pacific Theater, the China Burma India (CBI) Theater, later renamed the India-Burma Theater. With faithful service to his country and only after experiencing first hand the challenge and hell of war, Wally was honorably discharged and returned home to New Jersey. He worked for Buick for a couple of years before owning and operating the Flying A Service Station in the Twp of Washington, NJ. On June 9, 1951, he married Margaret Weil at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Westwood. After a time, Wally left the service station business and went to work for IBM in Facilities Engineering. In 1980, IBM moved Wally and Margaret to Charlotte where he continued to work until his retirement in 1985. As shown in his service to his country, Wally had a great concern and care for others. When not fishing or woodworking, he took great pride in serving others. He did so through the years in many roles including a scout leader, a Captain with the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, a member of the VFW, and as a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Most of all, he loved his family and friends, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Wally is survived by his wife, Margaret of Charlotte; a daughter, Priscilla Clark and her husband Jeffrey of West Berlin, Vermont; a son, Wallace Mason Jr and his wife Rebecca of Cartersville, Georgia; and five grandchildren: Kristi Roche and husband Mark of North Hero, Vermont; Aaron Mason and wife Heather of St Petersburg, FL; Wallace Mason III and wife Misty of Cartersville, Georgia; Andrew Mason and wife Kaitlin of Athens, Georgia; and Veronica Mason of Athens, Georgia. He is further survived by 6 great grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Georgeanna. As a member of the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Charlotte, a Mass of Christian Burial led by Father Pat Hoare will be held there at 11 AM on Saturday, January 19, 2013. Following services, the family will receive friends for food and fellowship in the church hall. Wally's family would appreciate memorials in Wally's name to be made for the purchase of vestments to the St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28227. The family has given Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home of Matthews, 704-545-3553, the privilege of serving them during this time. Please visit Wally's personal tribute site at www.LoweNeddoFuneralHome.com to share memories, pictures, and condolences.

Wallace "Wally" John Mason Sr

February 12, 1922 - January 15, 2013