Obituary of William T. Pace

Retired Executive Director for the South Carolina Tax Commission COLUMBIA—Mr. William T. Pace, Sr., 84, of Columbia, went to be with the Lord on August 10, 2013. Mr. Pace was born on January 2, 1929 to Fred and Roselee Pace. A lifetime Columbian; he was always active in his favorite hobbies, RV'ing and golf, at the top of his list was southern gospel music which had always been a large part of his life. He sang bass with the Gospel Experience for 11 years, which was an experience he cherished. Mr. Pace was a 32 degree Mason at the Dutch Fork Lodge, #402 and was an AFM Past Master. He was a York Rite Shriner. A longtime member of the Columbia Dirt Daubers Camping Club, Mr. Pace served as President for two terms. Mr. Pace's membership at Park Street Baptist Church was very important to him, and he sang in the sanctuary choir. Mr. Pace retired from the South Carolina Tax Commission as the Executive Director after 36 years of faithful service to the State of South Carolina. Mr. Pace started his career with the Tax Commission working in the supply room, working his way up through the ranks to Executive Director. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 1981 by Governor Richard Riley for exemplary service to the State. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia B. "Pat" Pace; three sons, William T. Pace, Jr. (Ruthie), Mark Andrew Pace (Sharon) and Joseph B. Pace (Sherry); six grandchildren, Lindsay Deaton (Lee), Jared Pace, Patrick Pace, Matthew Pace, Andrew Pace and Rebecca Pace; two great-grandchildren, Gracen L. Deaton and Hunter G. Deaton; nephews, Buddy Sower, Fletcher Pace, and niece, Sandra Platt. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, C. Fletcher Pace, and a sister, Emily Sowers. A memorial service for William T. Pace, Sr., will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the Park Street Baptist Church in Columbia. The family will greet friends following the service at the church. Memorials may be sent to Park Street Baptist Church, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201.