Wallace Ellsworth Difford papers, 1952-1968

Wallace Difford was born in Illinois and graduated from the University of Chicago. Later he received his law degree from Kent College of Law and was admitted to the bar in Texas. However, he soon became more interested in promotion and advertising. He joined Firestone Tire and Rubber company and at 29 became the company's youngest branch manager. He then worked as sales manager for several retail lumber firms, eventually becoming President of W. J. Hughes. He was also Secretary of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. He left the association in 1946 and went into business for himself. However he returned in 1952, becoming executive vice-president in 1960. He retired in 1962, but soon after retirement he became one of the directors of a newly organized, locally based life insurance company, National Benefit Life Insurance Company. He also served as executive director of the Central Association of Tacoma, an organization dedicated to improving the central business district. Difford died on October 9, 1968 at the age of 78.