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Richard Pace Obituary
A native of Pickens County, S.C., Mr. Pace served with the U.S. Army for more than five years during World War II, including three years in Iceland, England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He was a military policeman in Iceland and trained soldiers in Europe to use captured German weapons before spending 100 days on the front lines during the final Allied push into Germany.
After the war, Mr.Pace settled in West Columbia, where he and his wife of 68 years, Willie Mae Jones Pace, were early members of Northside Baptist Church. He served numerous terms on the church's Board of Deacons, taught Sunday school and served on the church's building and grounds committee.
Mr. Pace worked for 35 years as a truck driver for Colonial Stores Inc., delivering groceries and produce to stores throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
Mr. Pace was one of 12 children who came of age during the Great Depression on a small family farm in Pickens County. He brought those farming skills to West Columbia, where he tended a half-acre garden behind his home for more than four decades, regularly supplying his family and neighbors with fresh produce.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Agnes and Batt Johnson of West Columbia, and Thelma and Steve Haley of Cayce; a son and his wife, David Pace and Marsha Rhea of Alexandria, Va.; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
He also is survived by two sisters, Lura Galloway, 94, of Easley, S.C., and Louise Wolf, 91, of Dickinson, N.D.; and two brothers, Joe Henry Pace, 77, of Anderson, S.C. and Grover Pace, 75, of Pickens.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Woodridge Memorial Cemetery in Lexington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Missions at Northside Baptist Church, 1303 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169.
Family and friends may sign online guest book at
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Pace
June 1, 2010
Agnes and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I was unable to be at the visitation or services, but know that you are all in our prayers.
Love you,
Sally Wise Hook
Frank Dyches
May 30, 2010
I met Mr. Pace when I worked at Colonial Stores on Blanding Street in Columbia in the early 1950s. He was a very friendly person and always had a big smile. He would always cut up with us as we unloaded the trailer. I remember to this day how easy he could back the trailer into the narrow alleyway behind the store while other drivers would take 30 minutes to do it.
May God bless you in this time of sorrow.
May 30, 2010
We are truly saddened by the death of Mr. Pace, a Christian example for everyone to follow. We are sorry that we can't be there, but we are out of town. We will be with you in thought and prayers. May God remain close by your side as you adjust to this loss. Kenneth and Linda Senn
Rhett Corley
May 30, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
C. Alton Brown
May 30, 2010
Our dear cousin Richard Lee Pace leaves us to enter the realm of our Heavenly Father and those who have served our Country with distinction and great honor. It is true that we were born in a period of stress and without many worldly goods...BUT ....
what a glorious family background we have, and every time I hear Adger's 'Beautiful Star' I thank Father for his goodness to us all.
May all of my dear cousins be blessed and continue to proclaim Fathers' goodness.
C. Alton Brown
Dunnellon, FL
The Staff of Thompson Funeral Home
May 30, 2010
Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.
May 29, 2010
To the family of Richard Pace:
Randy and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Pace. I remember fondly visiting with Mr & Mrs Pace when I was at my grandparents (Paul & Isolene Haile) house. He was always such a nice man, and will really be missed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Trisha Haile Jones
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Thompson Funeral Homes - Lexington4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073
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