Wallace Bridgeman

The life of Wallace H. Bridgeman began on July 1, 1926 in Pikeville, Tennessee. He was one of 15 born to the late Louise Pope-Bridgeman and the late Lawrence Bridgeman. He attended Pikeville Chapel Methodist Church. He departed this life Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
At a very young age, Wallace worked with his dad farming, sawmill work and cutting timber. His dream was to go to Michigan, but he detoured to visit a sister and brother in Cincin-nati and found and fell in love with Wyoming until his last days.
As the Patriarch of his family, he is the last of his Bridgeman siblings.
He was a member of Bethel African Metho-dist Episcopal Church, Lockland, Ohio for over 60 years. He devoted his life to Bethel. He served on the Board of Stewards and faithfully served as the “Lead Usher” until he could no longer serve. He would always pass out candy to everyone who entered the door.
As one of the pillars of the church, he was honored at the 150th Church Anniversary Cele-bration in 2013, receiving a special award from Bishop McKinley Young.
Wallace was well respected for his spiritual life at the church, loved by all, from young people to his senior peers.
With a banner headline, “Bridgeman sculpts tree-lined streets”, he spent his first day at work in Wyoming, May 5, 1949 cutting down and replacing dying trees. That same year, he planted all the big “Oak Trees” that line South Grove Street. He also planted the Crab Apple trees on Brayton; the luxurious pink blossoms still dazzle the residents. He retired on July 16, 1991.
He also helped to build the concrete water reservoir in Wyoming on Oliver Road.
“Trees” were his favorite things, until he was greeted by an angry “hornets nest”. Still, he proudly boast of planting 260 trees in one year!
He was known as the “Crew Leader”, Public Works Director, John Wirtz described him as “Dependable as the Day.”
Appreciating his works given to the City of Wyoming, he was honored as a Citizen of the Year in 2002.
Wallace was a fan of the Wyoming Cowboy, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals.
To many he was affectionately known as “Mr. Wyoming”, The Tree Man, The Tree Surgeon, Slim, Crew Leader, Old Dad, Ole Man and lovingly known as “Uncle Wallace (Wally)” and Papa.
Wallace always enjoyed planting a garden. Everyone was welcome. He enjoyed sharing his bounty with his family and neighborhood friends. He loved to travel. He will be missed.
Cherishing his precious memory: “Sweet-heart” Maudlyn, his loving and caring wife of 27 years; children, Diane Bridgeman Reed, Myron and Scott Bridgeman; two stepsons, Tony Lawrence and Everton Haye; seven grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and special friends, namely, Mr. Kenneth Stroud and Mr. James E. Morris, Jr. (Buddy).