Wallace E. Boswell, Jr.

Wallace Edward Boswell, Jr. (Wally) died peacefully and surrounded by family at his home in Kannapolis, NC, on Friday, December 19.

Wally was a journeyman pattern maker and expert machinist who worked at Lynchburg Foundry in VA and as foreman at Bath Foundry in PA. He was the co-owner of Maya Corporation, a machine shop in Easton, PA, from 1985-1998. After moving to NC, Wally worked briefly at Ideal Tool and Die before taking a position as Instructor of Machine Technology at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). He loved teaching and was adored by his students at CPCC, where he served for fourteen years before retiring.

Wally was a devout Christian and leader in the Emmaus Walk community in PA and NC, where he helped lead many men’s retreats. He was also a Certified Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church, an amateur biblical scholar, and ardent guitar enthusiast and luthier. He combined these passions by playing guitar and singing in the praise band for Emmaus and various churches. His fondest memories were teaching Bible study for housing insecure neighbors and leading worship with his wife, Diane, at Opportunity House, a church for the economically impacted in Kannapolis. In 2008, Wally miraculously survived an aortic dissection and was later diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Alpha 1, which led to a long battle with lung disease.

Wally was an avid fan of UVA basketball and delighted in their 2019 NCAA championship. Wally was a devoted husband for over 50 years, an exceptional father, and beloved grandfather. He loved God and loved other people with every fiber of his being.

Wally is preceded in death by his mother, Lucy Wailes Boswell and his father, Wallace Edward Boswell, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Diane Browder-Boswell; his sons, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Boswell and Andrew Boswell; and his granddaughter, Lucy Joy Boswell.

A memorial service will be held at Forest Hills UMC in Concord on December 30 at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow.

Memorial donations can be made to Opportunity House, Forest Hills UMC, or Collective Liberation Church.