William Wallace Fraser, eldest son of Kerr and Edna Fraser,was born October 6, 1921, in Hamiota, Manitoba. He attended school in Hamiota, graduating in 1937.

Wallace joined the RCAF in 1940 and served overseas until 1945. In 1949, he married Mildred Pollock. Following her unexpected death in 1970, Wallace married Dorothy McConnell. She was his supporter and helper during his career with Manitoba Pool Elevators (MPE).

Wallace was active in farming from 1946 until 1978. He grew certified crops for seed and raised quality Shorthorn cattle. Always trying to improve his own farming operation by keeping up with the latest innovations, he was a positive role model for other farmers in the area.

Wallace served on the boards of the Hamiota Consumers Co-op and the Rivers Seed Cleaning Plant. He also volunteered with the Hamiota Agricultural Society.

Wallace served for 20 years on the Hamiota Local of MPE, including 18 years as President. After a number of years as delegate from sub-district 504 to the annual meeting, he was elected to the Board of MPE representing District 5. He was elected 2nd Vice-President in 1974, Vice-President in 1978 and President in 1980. He retired from MPE in 1985. During his time on the board, he was intimately involved in discussions leading up to controversial changes to western grain transportation policy (Crow Rate). He advocated a balanced approach to the consolidation of the country elevator system.

Wallace served as a Director and MPE representative on a number of cooperatives: XCan Grain Ltd.;Western Co-op Fertilizers Ltd; Pool Agencies Ltd.; Pool Insurance Company; and Canadian Wheat Producers Ltd., the political arm of the prairie pools.

Wallace was a Director of the Manitoba Farm Bureau and served as President in 1979-80. He was a Director and Executive Member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Director of the Great Lakes Waterways Association and a Trustee of the Wasagaming Foundation, which is responsible for the Riding Mountain Conference Centre and Camp Wannacumbac. Wallace was in the forefront of major changes taking place in the grain and agricultural industry.

A strong supporter of local community organizations,Wallace served as President of the Hamiota Curling Club, which became one of the first rural towns to have artificial ice. He was a member of the Hamiota Legion and the Hamiota Golf Club, where he served on the finance committee when the new golf course was established.

When he retired, the farm press was unanimous in declaring that farmers owed Wallace Fraser a debt of gratitude for his contribution to Canadian agriculture.