Earl Clifford Wallace Jr., 78, of Oak Island, N.C, formerly of Shelby, N.C. and Charlotte, N.C., passed away Saturday December 2nd, 2023 after a brief illness.

Earl received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army in 1964.

Earl's early careers began with Eastern Airlines, and Cummins Atlantic. During this time, Earl spent time in his garage woodworking, designing and creating solid oak kitchen accessories called the Acorn Collection. As his work continued, Earl began designing and building complete cabinet projects, crafted by hand with the beauty that only a true artisan can create.

Earl opened Earl Wallace Cabinets, Inc. in Charlotte, in 1980. His long-standing reputation as being "an honest man", the beauty of the craftsmanship and lasting quality of hand produced solid wood cabinets, helped Earl Wallace Cabinets became THE cabinet maker for upscale homes in the Charlotte area. No two designs of their cabinets were alike. Each job was individually designed for each client's home. Earl's fellow cabinet maker purchased the business when Earl retired in 1998 and continues the tradition of hand-crafted beauty.

Earl always said he was going to retire at 55 at Long Beach N.C. In 1992, Earl and Betty, along with two other couples, purchased Sunbelt Video, a NASCAR Broadcast Company. Their business acumen allowed them to sell their interest in 1998, when Earl was 54 - one year ahead of his goal!

For 25 years Earl and Betty were able to enjoy going fishing, a pastime they both loved, any time the seas were light and slight. The Mighty Quinn rode out to "The Tower" countless times filled with family or friends, or just with Earl and Betty.

Whether it was fishing, pig pickin's at the house on Kimmswick Rd., week-long trips to the July 4th parties at Lake Norman, riding on the Harley with Betty to rallies or with friends, taking trips in the Vette or letting the kids put more miles on the Vette than he did, Earl just lived life large. He was a solid Country man whom Betty always said never had a moment of self-doubt in his entire life!

Earl is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Winchester Wallace; his daughters Wendy and Ashley, and their spouses; stepsons Christopher and Shane, and their spouses; a brother, 4 sisters, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his father, Earle C. Wallace Sr., mother Ida Queen Wallace and 2 brothers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate) or to Tunnels to Towers.

Visitation will be at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory, Friday December 8th from 1 PM-2 PM, followed by a brief graveside service at Cleveland Memorial Park (Shelby NC).

Arrangements are by Peacock Newman White of Southport, and Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home of Shelby.