Poultney, VT - Master Chief Petty Officer (Submarines) Wallace Frederick Handfield, U.S. Navy (retired) departed on his final patrol on April 2, 2025. He was born September 29, 1947 in Springfield MA, son of the late Henry W. Handfield and Esther (Wallace) Handfield. After schooling in Poultney, Vermont and New Hampshire, he entered the U.S. Navy in 1966 and served aboard two aircraft carriers, three destroyers, an A-4 Skyhawk Light Attack Squadron, an amphibious transport ship, Naval Communications Station, Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, and four nuclear powered Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines, retiring in 1990 after 24 years service. After the Navy he worked for Marine Acoustics, Inc. in Arlington, VA supporting the Office of Naval Research in the at-sea testing of R&D submarine detection systems. During his time with MAI he served aboard numerous U.S., Japanese, Taiwanese, Philippine, and Australian ocean research vessels and told many interesting sea stories about serving on Swedish and Chilean diesel electric submarines. He retired again after another 24 years service and returned to his home earth of Poultney, VT.

During a shore tour in the Navy, stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, he met his wife Elizabeth Agnew who was also serving there in the Navy. They were married in the Panama Canal Zone in June 1979 and enjoyed many wonderful years together sharing interests in forestry, hunting whitetail deer and moose, gardening and raising miniature schnauzers. One of his fondest memories was that of initiating his wife Elizabeth as a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer in 1987.

His most enjoyable pastimes were spending time doing family activities at the family woodlot. He particularly enjoyed his time spent with son Steve and grandson William hunting and improving the woods.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, son Steve and wife Ryan, and grandchildren William Wallace Handfield and Hannah Ruth Lane of Poultney, VT, son Wallace F. Handfield II of Brandon, VT, cousin Randolph Handfield and wife Robin of Clear Lake, IA, as well as his beloved miniature schnauzers Weymouth and Grand Champion Timmy. He was predeceased by son Jeffrey Charles Handfield. He loved his family more than words can ever describe.

He was the great, great, great grandson of Weymouth Wallace who fought under Colonel Stark at the Battle of Bunker Hill and was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Other memberships included the Naval Submarine League and U.S. Submarine Veterans, Green Mountain Base, Vermont. He was a Master Mason. Above all, - he was a patriot.

When the klaxon sounded for his last dive, he slid silently under to be at God's side. He will be missed by his loved ones and shipmates and now serves in God's Navy on his Final Patrol.

A funeral service and committal will be private.