Pastor Wallace “Wally” J. Mapes Jr. entered the Kingdom of Heaven on
January 16, 2026, following a brief illness.

He was born on February 13, 1944, in Lockport, NY, to Wallace J. Mapes
Sr. and Ruby Martin Mapes.
 
He graduated from Lyndonville High School in 1963 and went on to serve
his country in the US Marine Corps until 1967. Wally held several careers,
including law enforcement and car sales before answering his true calling
after finding Christ. He pursued ministry and graduated from Roberts
Wesleyan College in 1988.

On September 30, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth,
beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith and love.
 
Pastor Wally carried the Word of Christ across the country, evangelizing in
various churches before founding Healing Reigns Fellowship in 2007. He
was well known in the community and could often be found at local
establishments enjoying a cup of coffee and striking up conversations with
everyone he met. His greatest passion was sharing the love and message
of Christ with others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-
grandfather and uncle who cherished time spent with family and friends.

Wally had a rare gift for making people feel seen, loved, and full of hope
within moments of meeting them. He made it a point to know everyone’s
name, bring a smile to each interaction, and he never left a penny behind if
he found one. His legacy of faith, kindness, and unwavering love will live on
in all who were blessed to know him.

Wally was a proud member of the Six Nation Indian Reservation of the
Mohawk Tribe in Canada and deeply honored his heritage throughout his
life.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ruth; three sons, Joe
(Patricia) Mapes of Vance, AL, Randy (Chris) Calkins of Honeyoye Falls,
NY, and Adam (Angela) Mapes of Hamlin, NY; and one daughter, Julie
Mapes, of Smethport. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren,
Randi, Kristopher, Ashlyn, Hunter, Brayden, Ryan, Jarrett, Camryn, Robbie,
Devin, Austin and Damien, as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces,
and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers John and James
Mapes and one sister Joan Wilsey.
 
Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on January 31, 2026, 1
PM at the First Church of God in Eldred, with Pastor James Kazimer and
Pastor Jamie Metcalfe co-officiating. A private burial will be held at the
convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Healing Reigns
Fellowship, PO Box 291, Kill Buck NY 14748.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com